2018 Site Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley

2018 Site Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley

with No Comment $50-$60Central CoastKevin VogtSanta Maria ValleySyrahUSA

SITE

SYRAH 2018
BIEN NACIDO VINEYARD
SANTA MARIA VALLEY

2018 Site Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley
Jeremy Weintraub is the owner and winemaker for Site Wines and gained experience growing grapes in Paso Robles, Santa Maria, Central Otago, Martinborough, Tuscany, and Long Island. After his vineyard work, Jeremy began making wine at Seavey Vineyard in Napa and later vinifying wines for Adelaida Cellars in Paso Robles, whom he still works with today.
 
Site sources grapes from some of the most distinctive vineyards in California, and Bien Nacido is known for some of the state’s most sought-after cool-climate grapes. Esteemed Syrah producer Sine Qua Non is now entirely estate-grown, no longer sourcing fruit from Bien Nacido, and Site was next in line for their contract with Block B, the oldest, steepest, and most revered plot in the vineyard. The 2018 Syrah has a graceful elegance with earthy and spicy notes reminiscent of the wines of the Northern Rhône, providing an attestation to the exceptional terroir of the Bien Nacido Vineyard.
 
SITE
SYRAH 2018
BIEN NACIDO VINEYARD
SANTA MARIA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $55
 
 
“The 2018 Syrah Bien Nacido Vineyards was mostly destemmed (90%) and spent 18 months in 50% new French oak. It’s another inky hued effort that brings both richness and elegance. Lots of darker, briny fruits, smoked game, and black pepper notes give way to a medium to full-bodied wine that has silky yet present tannins, terrific balance, and a great finish. It’s going to evolve for 15 years or more.”
96 Points
2020 Foxen Chenin Blanc Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard Santa Maria

2020 Foxen Chenin Blanc Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard Santa Maria

with No Comment $30 and underCentral CoastChenin BlancKevin VogtSanta Maria ValleyUSA

FOXEN

2020 CHENIN BLANC
ERNESTO WICKENDEN VINEYARD
SANTA MARIA VALLEY
2020 Foxen Chenin Blanc Ernesto Wickenden Vineyard Santa Maria
Foxen’s Chenin Blanc comes from one of the oldest plots of Chenin Blanc in the United States, the Ernesto Wickenden vineyard, planted in 1966. Located inside the Santa Maria Valley AVA, the vineyard benefits from the cool air that funnels in from the Pacific Ocean to the sun-drenched hillsides, giving a much-needed cooling effect. This climate allows for optimum ripeness with crisp acidity that’s palpable in this exceptional wine.
 
Ernesto Wickenden’s old vines produce low yields of highly concentrated grapes adding greater complexity and a rich texture, commingled with honey, tropical fruits, and floral aromas. The 2020 vintage is a stunning wine that stood out in a crowd of dozens of other wines when tasted by our tasting panel, doing so for an unbelievably low price. 
 
FOXEN
2020 CHENIN BLANC
ERNESTO WICKENDEN VINEYARD
SANTA MARIA VALLEY
 
Your Price: $27
 
 
“The 2020 Foxen Chenin Blanc begins with decadent floral notes of honeysuckle and acacia, followed by ripe golden apples, peaches, honey, straw, and vanilla ice cream. On the palate, the wine is rich with Meyer lemon, a hint of dried pineapple, and a flinty minerality. The bright acidity perfectly balances the ripe fruit and body, leading to an elegant finish.”
93 Points

2014 Dolin Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

with No Comment $30 and underPinot NoirSanta Maria ValleyUSA

DOLIN 

2014 PINOT NOIR
BIEN NACIDO VINEYARD 
SANTA MARIA VALLEY

Bien Nacido is one of the most distinguished vineyards in California’s Central Coast as well as one of the oldest, and was planted in the 1970s. When I come across a Bien Nacido Pinot on a restaurant wine list, I’m always eager to taste it. Their fruit attracts some of the top players in Pinot Noir to make a wine, including Foxen, Gary Farrell, and Calera, to name a few. Dolin’s version at under fifty will make many friends, but at $25, few others can play the game…
 
Bien Nacido, located in the Santa Maria Valley, is distinguished for having a strong maritime influence that’s caused by its geographical funnel shape, which opens up to the Pacific Ocean. 
 
The vineyard’s rock-laden soils are a crucial component in its unique terroir that manifests in the distinctive flavors. On the palate, the 2014 is rich, supple, and pure, and features defined red and black cherries, earth, and attractive savory accents. 
 
DOLIN 
2014 PINOT NOIR
BIEN NACIDO VINEYARD 
SANTA MARIA VALLEY
Retails at: $45
 
 
“Aromas of kirsch, new leather and dried red-plum show on the nose of this bottling, which has plenty of bottle age to reach secondary aromas. The palate is showing a touch of age, with dried strawberry and red-plum flavors alongside sumac spice.” 91 Points