2005 PINOT NOIR BIEN
NACIDO
Santa Maria Valley
In a year known for high
yields, these 35-year-old vines produced exactly two tons per
acre, which isn't much. The small crop didn't come naturally though-the
winter before we had record rainfall, which induced the vines
to grow with excessive vigor and set a huge crop of fruit. However,
vineyard manager Chris Hammell went through our block innumerable
times correcting the excesses, attending to every conceivable
detail. By the time he was done there wasn't much fruit left,
but every cluster was perfect. At harvest the weather was mild,
giving us lots of time to decide on the right moment for picking.
The result is one of the most delicious Bien Nacido pinot noirs
I can remember. I find myself suspicious of its quality because
it is so easy to enjoy.
The moment you pour it
from the bottle it is so effusive! The wine is an aromatic bombshell.
While fatty and richly flavored, there is a small bite of tannin
and acidity in the finish that has you grabbing the bottle for
a second glass. Yum.