Winemaker Notes
Red plum, red cherry and rose petals dominate the aromatics with subtle hints of sweet earth and spice. This medium bodied wine is wonderfully balanced with bright flavors of cherries and baked rhubarb. The acid and tannins play nicely off each other to deliver a beautifully balanced wine and showcases the cool-climate vineyard site and vintage.
Label Story: Original engraving by John Boydell, 1786, depicting Romeo joining Juliet in eternity.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Ripe cherry, star anise and boiled plum aromas show on the nose of this single-vineyard expression. The palate is also rather ripe but enjoyable, showing cranberry, hibiscus and a hint of orange rind, wrapped in compelling structure and acidity.
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.