Winemaker Notes
Solomon Hills Pinot Noir is always distinctive and singular in its ability to harness the Coastal influence of Santa Maria Valley. Earth tones alongside briar bush and blackberries contrast aromas of forest floor and exotic spices. The noticeable savory elements of cracked black pepper and sage balance ripe cherries and currants on the palate.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
As to the red, Burgundian notes of peppery red and black cherries, leather, rose petals, and sappy herbs all emerge from the 2022 Pinot Noir Solomon Hills Estate, a beautifully textured, medium to full-bodied, round, lush, front end-loaded beauty that has gorgeous overall balance and a great finish. It's an absolute dream to drink today yet should evolve for 7-8 years or more. The 2022 was 90% destemmed and spent 16 months in 40% new French oak.
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James Suckling
The nose is lifted and complex, with aromas of dark cherries, tea leaves, tobacco and forest floor. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins and bright acidity, showing notes of red currants, wild raspberries, cocoa and bergamot. A very well-constructed pinot that balances freshness and power. Drink or hold.
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Vinous
The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate Solomon Hills Vineyard is a huge, dense wine. Black cherry, plum, lavender, licorice, graphite, chocolate and dried herbs all saturate the palate. All the wild, coastal intensity of this site comes through in a potent, explosive Pinot Noir endowed with tons of brooding intensity.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir is soft and alluring on the nose, displaying dark-fruited cola and floral aromas supported by uniquely savory, evergreen-like flourishes. The palate echoes the softness of the nose with a velvety, rich texture lined with delicious salinity, concluding with a decadent yet elegant finish. As with the Chardonnay bottlings, readers can expect a more supple, round expression of Pinot Noir from this site versus the more structured Bien Nacido.
The Solomon Hills Vineyard was planted by the Miller Family in the late 1990's. Known for pinot noir and chardonnay, Solomon Hills found its tenor early on in its relatively young life among a broad range of talented winemakers who found its vibrant, youthful flavor profile exhilarating, and, at times, profound.
The soils of Solomon Hills Vineyards are composed primarily of ocean derived sandy loams. Because it is the western most vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley appellation, it is the coolest of all vineyards in this growing region. With the Pacific coastline only miles away, a constant maritime influence results in wines of precise acidity, bright fruit and an inherent elegance.
The Solomon Hills Vineyards takes its title from neighboring hills named for Solomon Pico, a celebrated bandit who in the 1850's traveled frequently along the stretch of El Camino Real that is known today as Santa Maria Valley.
Santa Maria Valley lies mainly in northern Santa Barbara County, with a small portion of it overlapping southern San Luis Obispo County. It is close to the Pacific, and runs east-west, which means warmer air in the eastern end draws cool air off the ocean in the west, and brings it through the valley. This effect, combined with abundant sunshine, lengthens the growing season. The longer growing season leads to long hang time, which promotes both ripeness and optimal acidity levels in grape berries. As early as the 1970’s, Santa Maria Valley was recognized as being a superior source of wine grapes, certainly including Chardonnay and Syrah. But arguably the top variety here is Pinot Noir.
Originally a domain primarily of growers, including the Miller Family of the justifiably famous Bien Nacido Vineyard, this AVA is now home to over 30 wineries. Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir consistently offers full flavors of cherry, strawberry and raspberry, often accompanied by notes of spice, cola, vanilla and earth. They show impressive balance and elegance, as well as great versatility with food.