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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.7 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 44 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by njgolfer on 11/1/2018 & rated 90 points: Cranberry, cherry and we'll rounded spices that remind me of a fall potpourri mix. A fairly big, fruity wine with being overly extracted. Finishes with notes of pomegranate on the palate.
Big enough to go well with a rich cream sauce or turkey and gravy.
Found this enjoyable on the second night so could probably go another 2 years. (1535 views) | | | Tasted by Tudz Drkl on 1/11/2018 & rated 88 points: Well developed and expressive fruit driven wine. Well balanced. (1596 views) | | | Tasted by MikeATL on 11/26/2016 & rated 88 points: Tart cranberry and cherry predominate, accented by mulling spices, it is pleasant but held back by a bitterness on the finish that intensifies with air. It works well with leftover turkey, gravy, sage cornbread and Challah dressing, and cranberry/orange congealed salad, which tame the bitterness and accentuate the fruit and spice. (2086 views) | | | Tasted by Djfermentation on 11/22/2016 & rated 93 points: Just read my previous notes. This wine continues to impress, Ed does Cali Pinot like nobody else in a very good way. This wine has age worthyness written all over it. I need to get a few more and revisit in 10 years. (2058 views) | | | Tasted by td1836 on 10/11/2016 & rated 92 points: Mostly red fruit, cranberry, cherry, earthy, spices, and orange zest. This has big flavors and big aromatics. The fruit is juicy and pure, and the wine has a smooth texture and long finish. (2071 views) | | | Tasted by Charlie Carnes on 9/2/2016 & rated 93 points: This is every bit as good as the super delicious and super fresh 2014. It is a tad darker perceptually, while still maintaining freshness. Red fruit, tart, hints of pretty soil and aromatic fruit and mineral perceptions. (1746 views) | | | Tasted by King Cab on 8/5/2016 & rated 95 points: Nose of sweet and juicy raspberries and softly textured strawberries. Palate reveals a deftly made Pinot Noir that only a lover of Pinot Noir can make. Deeply textured and fragrant with the things you would want in a Bien Nacido Pinot. Lovely orange rind, sweet bouncy fruit and elegance all amidst a framework that belies its components as singular components, but the alchemy is extraordinary. Focused and pure, this has amazingly lithe tannins and an acidity that defies gravity as this all hovers just above the palate in near suspense of time & space, but enough with superlatives, the honest point I want to drive it this is awesome. It may be my favorite of the Sandler Biens that I have had to date and I am respectfully requesting more. I am scoring this commensurate with its showing at this time of it's and my combined perfect evolution and isn't that what its really all about? This surpasses maybe 80% of the Pinots I have had all year. (1859 views) | | | Tasted by danstrings on 7/17/2016 & rated 89 points: Good deep juicy unctuous fruit. Intense, good crowd pleaser. (1248 views) | | | Tasted by CMN on 2/24/2016 & rated 91 points: On pop and pour greeted by beautiful ripe red fruit - rhubarb, cranberry and pomegranate -- plus a touch of orange rind and a green, mossy note. Very smooth and silky, easy drinking right from the get go. With several hours of air, the green note turned somewhat bitter and more prominent. Recommend no decant. In a very nice spot now. (1561 views) | | | Tasted by dhammer53 on 12/4/2015 & rated 91 points: Nice pinot for the WineBerserker special price. Nice nose. Silky, smooth, and rich. I thought the color was more Central Coast than Oregon (light). After a couple of hours, you could really smell the cherry and spice. Drank this with salmon. Drink or hold. (1481 views) | | | Tasted by Djfermentation on 5/25/2015 & rated 93 points: Wow Ed! This one continues to deliver. We had this one side by side with a Williams Selyem Sonoma Coast from the same year and the Sandler Bien Nacido was the clear favorite among our guests. Terrific California Pinot! (1625 views) | | | Tasted by King Cab on 2/1/2015 & rated 93 points: Beautiful light cranberry color with purple tinges edges. Nose of sweet red raspberries, red cherries and some strawberries. Palate shows an amazingly lilty wine which seems to glide across the tongue. Deeply fruited with some exotic tea leaf, red-cranberries and orange zest. Beautiful mid-palate with some soft berry tartness, this is elegant and majestic, it keeps you focused on its focus. Tannins are complicated but friendly and overall balance spot-on. Finish is long and true to everything I just said, this is pure joy--- pure joy. (2130 views) | | | Tasted by RDHudak on 2/1/2015 & rated 92 points: Rich S. nailed it. An outstanding Pinot that I wish I had more of. Juicy, food friendly and simply delicious. 92+ (1880 views) | | | Tasted by Rich S on 1/27/2015 & rated 91 points: Popped and poured. Light ruby color with great clarity. Nose of cranberry, pomegranate, baking spices, a hint of earthiness and a touch of oak. Really pretty. Similar flavors on the palate with a juicy red fruit flavor profile. Perfectly balanced with medium+ acidity and medium tannins at best. Excellent Cali pinot and killer QPR. (1861 views) | | | Tasted by Grape_ape on 1/1/2015: enjoyed this more than other recent Sandler's from other vintages/vineyards. More my style with the lower alcohol, higher acidity. Really nice bottle, especially for the price. (1746 views) | | | Tasted by GoBlue2002 on 12/12/2014 & rated 90 points: A quality pinot, just not my preferred style.
Granted this is a cool climate Cali pinot, being Santa Maria valley, but the low alcohol (13.5% ABV), light color & body, and high (yet balanced) acidity, make this an easy drinker. However, I wouldn't consider this "light on its feet" either.
Aromas and flavors of earth, bright cherry, black fruits, and spice.
This lacks much complexity at this point, so I plan to hold my other Sandler pinots for a few years and see how they age. Good now for an easy drinking pinot, but I suggest holding. (1657 views) | | | Tasted by Djfermentation on 12/3/2014 & rated 92 points: Earthy on the nose with lots of red and black fruits. There is a lot in this pinot but it is by no means over the top. It is however just a delicious, well priced, balanced pinot that I think fans of many different types of wines and styles of wines can appreciate. Glad to see that Ed is making wine from Santa Maria again. (1620 views) | | | Tasted by Counselor Chris on 11/26/2014 & rated 93 points: Another impressive Sandler showing. Ed knows how to make great pinot, and he puts many other wineries to shame with how reasonably he prices them.
This is a bright, light red color, quite transparent. Lots of medium-sweet red cherry and fresh strawberry flavors. Next comes orange and orange peel, finishing with a dusting of Christmas spices and a balanced, acidic, clean finish. No heaviness or obtrusive oak, just pure Bien Nacido fruit, and the wine stays light on its feet.
This has enough fruit and ripeness not to be a true AWFE special or a predominantly savoury-type wine experience, but it's a long ways from being overripe, big or heavy. Just a joyous, honest pinot. It would be terrific at the Thanksgiving table, by the way. (1624 views) | | | Tasted by Neat Water Back on 11/15/2014: This is not our style, of the three Sandler's I've opened thus far, this misses the mark for my wife and I. Very earthy nose but what was not to my liking was the heaviness of this wine. To my palate, this reminded me of Belle Glos which I also do not care for.
That being said, this is one of the things that makes the journey and experience so much fun, trying different things to find what you enjoy. (1543 views) | | | Tasted by wirelesswine on 11/8/2014: Quite big style of pinot - no formal notes; it was tasty though. (1496 views) | | | Tasted by wiscgrad on 11/7/2014 & rated 91 points: very young but very tasty. got better in the glass as the night went on. the sour cherry faded and more complexity started to show through. (1556 views) | | | Tasted by pjhr on 8/26/2014 & rated 90 points: Tasty early drinking pinot! Can't beat the QPR! (1882 views) | | | Tasted by t_moderne on 7/19/2014 & rated 90 points: Pop and pour and tasted with food at the end of a dinner. (Spaghetti with a tomato-basil sauce, and grilled chicken, in case you were wondering.)
Good nose of spice and candied fruit. A bit sweet but the earthy element along with a core of acidity keeps the ripe fruit in check. Enjoyable. (2003 views) | | | Tasted by Dental Jay on 7/7/2014 & rated 91 points: Very good. Loved the style. (1895 views) | | | Tasted by stevenjstein on 5/20/2014 & rated 90 points: Another great value Pinot from Sandler. Somewhat on the bigger side, with lots of bright red fruit and some earth. Good acidity, so it should age. (1950 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 2012 Santa Lucia Highlands: A Winemaker’s Vintage (July 2014)
(Sandler Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Sandler Wine Company Producer website
Welcome to the Sandler Wine Company, the personal label of consulting winemaker, Ed Kurtzman. For Sandler, Ed draws on his relationships with top growers to produce small lots of vineyard designate Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Syrah, Zinfandel and Grenache from the Central Coast’s and Sonoma's most acclaimed sites.
Please go to the Wines page to learn more about our current offerings, or click here to join our mailing list for announcements about Sandler Wine Co.'s twice yearly (fall/spring) releases.
Cheers… and thanks for your interest in Sandler Wines.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.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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