Santa Maria Valley

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2011 was a fabulous vintage for us. The cool summer and fall allowed the grapes to mature slowly and the wines possess great freshness because of that. Windy weather during the flowering disrupted the pollination so the yields were ridiculously low in the pinot noir at Bien Nacido, and this gave us a wine of amazing concentration.

A very small lot of this wine got lost in our warehouse so we now have the opportunity to show you how attractive it has become with several years of bottle age. From its fabulously exotic aroma to the rich but savory flavor, this wine will not disappoint!

Blend: 100% Pinot Noir | Alc: 13.0% | Vinification: 29% New French Oak  with 15% whole cluster | Barrel Aging: 15 Months | Total Production: 315 cases

Press Reviews

Antonio Galloni’s Vinous

“Savory herbs, dried rose petals, mint and sweet red cherries lift from the glass in the 2011 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard. Lifted and aromatically expressive, the 2011 is probably best enjoyed sooner rather than later given its mid-weight structure, although the tannins could use another 6-12 months to soften a bit.” – AG 92 Points

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

“A rich, flavorful effort in the portfolio, the 2011 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard offers darker berry fruits, black plum, licorice, wild herbs and hints of underbrush to go with a medium-bodied, lively profile on the palate that stays rooted in the juicy, acid-driven style of the estate (these days anyways). A touch straightforward at the moment, it has impressive structure and mid-palate depth, so give it a year or so before checking in. It will certainly still be drinking nicely in a decade.” – JD 91 Points