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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 12 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by spectrumphoto on 11/4/2012 & rated 86 points: past its prime... sour cherries...life wants to come back but just cant (2088 views) | | | Tasted by devraj on 2/17/2012 & rated 91 points: Ruby red color. Burgundian nose with violets, strawberries, red currants and light damp earth. Silky medium bodied palate with sweet-tart red berry fruit, spice and lingering perfume on the finish. This straddled a Chambolle and a CA Pinot extremely well. (2309 views) | | | Tasted by abovskyg on 4/17/2010 & rated 93 points: Excellent. Unfortunately, the cork broke on its way out. Pulled it out, ran it through a coffee filter. The wine is still delicious. Nice, long finish. Delicious red fruit, forest floor, and medicine cabinet. wish i had more! (2785 views) | | | Tasted by abovskyg on 2/22/2010 & rated 95 points: Delicious. I think it still has plenty of aging potential. Smoke, dark fruit, great finish. I wish I could find more pinot like this! (2686 views) | | | Tasted by Guns of Brix-ton on 8/25/2008: Wow......different tasting notes based on the type of glasses used.......? Must be an accountant, actuary, or another occupation of a similar ilk......stop thinking so hard - this wine was on point - just pulled it from the locker in the '08 and was drinking just fine......after 2+ glasses who cares anyway.....? Great nose of cherry/cranberry/strawberry yet plummy and a little bit of earth thrown in to ground the whole thing - if anyone has an extra bottle laying around that they can't stand to look at let me know I wil relieve you of it - this wine not going to change the world but not going 2 ruin your nite either unless your dial is set on "Buzzkill"" to begin with....... (3017 views) | | | Tasted by trekwars2000 on 6/8/2006 & rated 87 points: Ever strong nose as I started decanting it. Let it decant for 2 hours before the first glass (and the last glass wasn't drank until almost 4 hours into the decanting). Strong tannins and berry's when served at the correct temperature. Very refreshing wine, drank it with some lasagna from Olive Garden. Would recommend, but you can probably find a better pinot at this price or a less expensive one at this quality.
I would recommend the Wild Horse Cheval Savage out of this vineyard over this. It has much better body, fruit and finish than this wine. (2205 views) | | | Tasted by carlwhat on 4/15/2006 & rated 89 points: a tad tart, maybe even a bit herbal... despite that has deep dark berry aromas... possible bing cherry... very nice bottle of wine.... (2099 views) | | | Tasted by pizinah on 12/31/2005 & rated 88 points: A RMP 93, this was a real disappointment. Competent and drinkable but simple and a bit thin, zingy and watery, with primarily strawberry and cranberry notes. On paper it seemed a potentially nice QPR at $29.99, but I've had richer/better Castle Rock pinots for $15 less. There's nothing terribly wrong with the Summerland, but nothing very impressive or interesting either. Reminds me of some Seghesio zins I haven't liked. The entry-level '02 Talley Estate pinot is far more interesting under $30. Not to mention that I'd rather pony up another $10 and buy Martinelli or Radio Coteau... (2150 views) | | | Tasted by jmcmchi on 3/20/2005: Quite a lot of charm, outshone a Pommard at 70% more (303 views) | | | Tasted by ruslev on 3/17/2005: Ate with sweet Brisket - nice texture, good finish (2537 views) | | | Tasted by Dteng on 2/17/2005 & rated 90 points: For those looking for a Burgundy style California pinot noir, I think this is it. Soft and round with gentle hints of violets, cassis, strawberries and cherries, this very nice wine presents a pleasant and balanced accompaniment to dinner. Don't expect LWC or AP Vin as this is more akin to a well made lower end Jadot or Drouhin with subtle flavors, at least by my palate. Not decanted. Tannins are silky and barely noticeable, the finish length fades quicker than I would like, though it is not clipped. Very nice, and an excellent buy for those who enjoy the style - under $30. Drinkable now. (3903 views) | | | Tasted by SacredCow on 12/11/2004 & rated 86 points: Decanted for three hours. A very flamboyant nose, by far the best of the evening. But on the palate, very thin, earthy, and flabby. Very low acid wine. An OK wine, but there are better at this price. Tasted side by side with the Fess Parker PN from this vineyard, this finished a distant second to that wine.
An interesting note: the above notes were taken when testing in a Riedel Vinum burg stem. When tried again side by side with a Spig burg stem, there was definitely more fruit on the palate from the Spig, though the thinness and flabbiness were still apparent. An interesting observation that I certainly did not expect. (1921 views) |
| Summerland Producer website
Summerland Winery is a boutique winery dedicated to the production of fine wines from the Central Coast of California. We strive to showcase excellent fruit quality combined with strong regional character in all of our wines. Summerland Winery was founded in 2002 with the intention of producing a diverse range of premium wines focusing on the expressive vineyard sources spanning from Santa Barbara to Monterey with an emphasis on small lot, vineyard designated Pinot Noir production.
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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