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80% wholecluster, 22 months in neutral oak
Rebounding from one of the wettest years to one of the drier years, we had 190 days of almost perfect growing conditions. The wines of 2012 show structure and style of classic age-worthy wines. This vintage presents some of the best wines since 2007! The Pinot noir is produced from all Santa Maria Valley vineyards blending a variety of clones (113, 114, 115, 667, 777, Pommard 4).
2011 is our 7th vintage! Preceded by 186% of our normal average rainfall and one of the coolest growing seasons in nearly 30 years, the 7th bottling of our SMV Pinot Noir yields one of our most elegant, fresh and compelling wines to date. It is delicate and unique, but it stays true to the typicity of our growing region. This wine is an example of the high quality Pinot Noir can achieve, even with the unusual 2011 growing season in the Santa Maria Valley. Magnums also available.
As a nod to the early days of Spanish California, we are introducing our first RESRVA bottling of Pinot Noir. The fruit for this wine comes from a vineyard located on the southern side of the Santa Maria Valley appellation that was planted in the mid 1990’s on Garey Series sandy loam to the Martini Selection. Because of the vineyard’s high elevation and northern aspect, the vines receive a daily blasting of cold winds and have nutrient deficient soils. These hostile conditions thankfully contribute very small clusters and flavorful berries. Extended barrel aging in 30% new French oak allows the wine to be richer, more complex and fuller-boded than our regular Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir. The wine was completely de-stemmed furthering the fruit’s exuberance and roundness.
"Block 1 at Bien Nacido is easily described as a maverick -- it is one of the earliest ripening Pinot Noir vineyards in the valley (often harvested in the middle of the Sparkling Wine harvest) and every year it shows full flavor and complexity in spite of it." - Paul Wilkins, Winemaker
Our first 'Block' designate bottling pays homage to the practice of focusing on the microsites of Bien Nacido Vineyards. The 2013 Block G release comes from the 40+ year old Pommard selection of Pinot Noir. Our 2013 was 100% whole-cluster fermented and barrel aged for 18 months.
After our second drier than average winter season, 2013 started as the season of want, to the season of whoa. A smooth growing season and moderate temperatures provided for a second year of great quantity and quality.
100% Whole Cluster Fermented & Aged 17 months - Named after the small community of Garey in the heart of the Santa Maria Valley, this single vineyard bottling showcases Dijon clone 113 and is expressive of earth and old world style.
Our second Cru Beaujolais Style Pinot Noir is made using 100% Carbonic Maceration. It's fermented for 31 days using whole-cluster grapes without crushing or pumping over the free draining juice in a closed stainless steel tank and bottled only 4 months after harvest.
You may purchase our winery exclusive wines by calling us at 805.686.1144