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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2004 and 2008 (based on 12 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 86 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 7 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by the_lovenest on 11/4/2016 & rated 89 points: Tastes like coastal California Pinot, hadn't tasted when it was younger but feel like it's not going to get any better, red fruit and earth, there is still fruit but not tons of complexity, not bad at all, great pizza wine but not much to indicate its age (918 views) | | | Tasted by JHMahaney on 11/1/2014 & rated 74 points: This wine was well past its prime. Quite a bit of cork bleed, but not all the way through. Wine was flat with little vibrancy. Has lost all luster compared to last bottle drank Christmas Eve 2007 (1356 views) | | | Tasted by wineaboutit on 6/28/2009 & rated 90 points: Popped and poured w/a glass airator. Nose of rich, deep cherry along w/earth. A medium bodied, full flavored wine that the group enjoyed. Layers of flavor, and complexity. Last bottle of this, Byron very consistent producer. (2182 views) | | | Tasted by wineaboutit on 6/21/2009 & rated 89 points: Popped and poured, had this w/a tremendous Father's Day meal of grilled filet mignon, asparagus and roasted red potatoes...along w/a classic Oregon organic salad (whatever that means..you have to live in OR. to appreciate that comment). I am a huge Bryon fan, and wanted to score this wine higher, but after enjpyng a Walla Walla James Leigh Cellars '03 cab, and an Erath '06 pinot noir estate...this wine came up a tad short. A classic, deep Cali pinot w/flavors of cherry, along w/a medium weight pallate and decent finish. Last of the wines consumed....the peanut gallery and I enjoyed the other wines a bit more. Drink this wine now. (2204 views) | | | Tasted by wineaboutit on 5/16/2009 & rated 89 points: Popped the cork, and let breath for 4 hours. Earth, deep cherry on the nose. A high octane pinot noir that was tasty and went well w/the surf and turf (grilled shrimp and NY strip steaks). An excellent central Calif. take on the varietal. After 3 hours this wine was continueing to improve and evolve. The peanut gallery liked it a lot. (2228 views) | | | Tasted by theduck on 10/11/2006 & rated 82 points: Nice cherries, cranberries. Well balanced, medium tannins. (1885 views) | | | Tasted by winefool on 11/1/2004 & rated 89 points: Nice floral aroma of sweet cherry. Good, but not great. 11/04 (1445 views) |
| Byron Producer web sitePinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.Bien Nacido Vineyard Producer website
Bien Nacido Vineyard (wikipedia)
From Testarossa Winerey - Club Testarossa May 2013 notes:
Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
Testarossa has a long relationship with Santa Barbara County's famed Bien Nacido Vineyard. Rob and Diana have been purchasing Chardonnay from Bien Nacido since 1995. Bien Nacido is located in the cool climate Santa Maria Valley appellation, about an hour north of Santa Barbara.
Here, the close proximity to the Pacific Ocean creates a true region I climate - very cool, gentle conditions throughout the crucial summer and fall ripening seasons. An ideal situation for top-flight Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The vineyard traces its roots back to the year 1837 when a Spanish land grant of some two square leagues was made to Tomas Olivera by the then Governor of Alta California. In 1969, the Millers, a fifth generation California farming family, purchased the property. They also purchased an adjacent parcel which had been part of the original 1837 Spanish land grant and reunited the two as Rancho Tepusquet, now comprising over two thousand acres. The original adobe remains as one of the few privately maintained adobes in California. In the early 1970's, it became clear to the Millers that the soils and climate were ideal for growing grapes, and they moved quickly to realize the winegrowing potential of the estate. Today, Bien Nacido is one of Calilfornia's most recognized vineyard names. USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Central Coasthttp://www.ccwinegrowers.org/links.html
http://www.discovercaliforniawines.com/regional-wine-organizations/
http://beveragetradenetwork.com/en/btn-academy/list-of-winegrowers-association-in-central-coast-california-274.htm
Central Coast AVA WikipediaSanta Maria Valley Santa Maria Valley Wine Country Association | Santa Maria Valley Wine Trail |
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