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 Vintage2012 Label 1 of 7 
TypeRed
ProducerBernardus Winery (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
VineyardPisoni Vineyard
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionCentral Coast
AppellationSanta Lucia Highlands
UPC Code(s)744818200725

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2015 and 2020 (based on 4 user opinions)

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 91.5 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 13 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by thunderfly on 11/27/2020 & rated 91 points: Really good. Bold and earthy for a Pinot. Nice dark cherry in the mix. Good nose. Very enjoyable. (445 views)
 Tasted by bobwire on 11/22/2015 & rated 96 points: Fantastic (3252 views)
 Tasted by rjonwine@gmail.com on 5/16/2015 & rated 92 points: Dark ruby color; ripe cherry, raspberry puree nose; tasty, rich, structured, ripe cherry, raspberry puree palate; could use 2-plus years; long finish 92+ points (402 views)

Professional 'Channels'
By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, Santa Lucia Highlands: New Releases (Aug 2015) (8/1/2015)
(Bernardus Winery Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard Central Coast) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Bernardus Winery

Producer Website

Pinot 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.

Pisoni Vineyard

Vineyard: Many wineries make wine from Gary Pisoni's vineyard. Here's a Wines & Vines article specifically on the vineyard.
From Kosta Browne Winery
Perched at an altitude of 1,300 feet, Pisoni FALL Vineyard, the brain child of Gary Pisoni, overlooks the Salinas Valley to the east. People told Gary grapes would never grow in this location. The determined Gary proved them all worng and has successfully displayed what the site can produce in the world-class wine coming from this special place. Because the valley opens to Monterey Bay, cold fog intrudes from the Pacific Ocean, blanketing the valley on a daily basis. The fog and prevailing ocean winds make the mountain estate one of the coolest growing regions in the state. The 45 vineyard acres at Pisoni Vineyard are divided into small blocks that follow the contours of the mountains. The lean, decomposed-granite soils are very well drained, stressing the vines and forcing their roots deep into the earth in search of water and nutrients. More than 85% of the land remains in its natural state of native grasses, Coastal Live Oaks and prolific wildlife. In 2008, we were generously offered two and a quarter tons of fruit from this highly coveted vineyard. In 2009 we received just a bit more. We have a wonderful relationship with the Pisoni family and are honored to work with their prized vineyard and look forward to making this wine for many years to come.
©2012 Kosta Browne Winery

Exact position on weinlagen-info

USA

American 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.

California

2021 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 Coast

http://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 Wikipedia

Santa Lucia Highlands

Appellation: Wine Artisans of Santa Lucia Highlands | Winegeeks article
AVA Website

 
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