Winemaker Notes
The Tyler Mae Estate is located in the northern end of the Sta. Maria Hills off of Highway 246. The vineyard was planted back in 2016 upon beds of Elder series loam over marine sedimentary rock. The Pinot Noir sits to the eastern side, and also the upper slope of the field, on the darkest, most clay-rich soils on the property which are most conducive to producing exceptional Pinot Noir.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Mae Estate has pretty yet earth-driven aromas of dried herbs and flowers and turned soil. The palate is silky and vibrant, leading to a similarly earthen finish as alluded to on the nose, supported by granular tannins. This wakes up and comes together a bit in the glass and remains a beautifully crafted Pinot Noir, although the youth of the vines is apparent in the context of the more complete wines in the range.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.