2016 Bernardus Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

BERNARDUS

2016 PINOT NOIR
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS

 
What makes Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir unique?  For starters, it’s one of California’s coolest Pinot producing regions and as a whole, it’s even cooler than the Russian River Valley.  This is due to the prominent ocean breeze and fog from Monterey Bay.  Pinot Noir thrives in cooler climates, which allows the grapes to achieve optimum ripeness and flavor development, but also maintain acidity and structure.  For my palate, the best Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots have an idyllic combination of intense plum and cherry fruit, with earthy nuances that keep me coming back for more.  The balanced acidity and dense core make them both delightful upon release, and something to look forward to in the cellar.  The 2016 Bernardus is exactly what I look for in classically styled SLH Pinot Noir and at 33% below retail, I wouldn’t hesitate to secure yours.  
 
The 2016 was created from a collage of specifically selected vineyards throughout the Santa Lucia Highlands with the purpose of creating a picture-perfect Pinot.  Their winemaker Dean Dekorth, is well-versed in Santa Lucia Highland fruit, from making Morgan, David Bruce and Talbott.  He also spent 4 years working at some of Burgundies top producers including Olivier LeFlaive, Comtes Lafon and Pierre Morey.   If you love a great value, and crave exceptional Pinot Noir, this one will leave you grinning… 
 
BERNARDUS
2016 PINOT NOIR
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $45.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl  

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YOU SAVE 33%
Vivid ruby-red. Ripe cherry and red berries on the nose along with hints of licorice and dried flowers in the background. Smooth and fleshy in style showing good energy to the blackberry and bitter cherry flavors. Smooth tannins come in late adding shape to a gently sweet focused persistent finish.90 Points The appellation blend 2016 Pinot Noir SLH Blend is outstanding, offering lots of red fruits and spice, a terrific sense of elegance, medium body, and great balance. It shows the balance and purity that’s the hallmark of the vintage and is ideal for drinking over the coming 6-7 years.” 91 Points
 
Customers that enjoy Bernardus Pinot Noir may also enjoy these two terrific Santa Lucia Highlands Pinots…
2016 Morgan Twelve Clones Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2015 Matia's Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir
MORGAN
2016 PINOT NOIR
TWELVE CLONES
SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS
Retails at:  $35.00/btl
 
Your Price: $29.99/btl 

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From Jeb Dunnuck:Moving to the reds, the 2016 Pinot Noir Twelve Clones (aged ten months in 38% new French oak) offers ample black cherry, violet, and scorched earth aromatics, hints of background oak, medium body, and a beautiful fruit forward, balanced, layered style on the palate. It’s a winner.” 93 Points
MATIAS
2015 PINOT NOIR
ROSELLA’S VINEYARD
Retails at:  $65.00/btl
 
 
From Wine Enthusiast:Rose petals, cranberry and dust show on the nose of this bottling, which grows more intense on the nose as it sits open, offering riper fruit. Dried sagebrush and baked earth flavors show on the sip as the red fruit and floral components arise with grace.”  93 Points