Bien Nacido Series
2021 Chardonnay
Santa Maria Valley
Bien Nacido, Block I
A wine that truly captures the site and the season. This Chardonnay is crisp and vibrant with layers of acid and cooler weather feel. Notes of lemon, mandarin, a hint of tangerine, and spice. A medium-body weight on the palate with a touch of sweetness from the oak and added complexity from the vineyard site. Traditional winemaking with native fermentation and native malolactic in barrel takes place in a cool environment over a few months.
The 2021 is the best Bien Nacido wine we have made to date and is already drinking beautifully and will age elegantly for 15+ years. 264 cases produced.
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2020 Chardonnay
Santa Maria Valley
Bien Nacido, Block I
Harvested from the oldest vines on the famous Bien Nacido Block I, planted in 1973 is an own-rooted section. Warmer conditions in 2020 set the harvest date on September 13th to capture acidity and encourage skin-on-skin maturity. The grapes were pressed whole cluster and immediately barreled down with 15% in new French oak. Native primary and secondary fermentation took place over the next few months, in cold conditions, which promote aromatics and vibrancy in the wine.
Layers of orchard fruit, buttered lemon and honeysuckle emerge from the glass. Austere, citrus-zest, with notes of passion fruit and hint of flint. A salty minerality on the finish with long acidity and reduction. This Chardonnay is a true embodiment of the vineyard and the coastal site.
Open a bottle now or enjoy over the next 10+ years.
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2019 Chardonnay
Santa Maria Valley
Bien Nacido, Block I
The Chardonnay is harvested from the oldest vines on property, the famous Bien Nacido Block I, planted in 1973 is an own-rooted section.
The nose is vivid, notes of lemon zest, peaches, and citrus with pleasant nuance reduction. Acidic and bright mid-palate weight with tiered textures. Soft velvety structure, hint of oyster shell, lemony and bright acidity. French oak rounds the palate and lingers with refreshing lay ers of tropical flavors.
The grapes were picked overnight, whole cluster pressed, transferred into a settling tank for a few hours then barreled down. Native fermentation and native malolactic took place in barrels over 4-5 months. Once it was dry, we left it on lees for the balance of the aging process.
The wine is expressive and will continue to evolve over time.
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2021 Syrah
Santa Maria Valley
Bien Nacido, Block X
Block X provides the perfect climate conditions to reach our desired wine style. We sorted the fruit thirty-percent whole cluster with some stem inclusion. Native fermentation took place over roughly 16 days and then pressed into barrels, which are 30% new French oak. The wine is deep purple, an inky and opaque color. The nose has expressive white pepper with earthy notes, caramelized bacon, and black pepper on the palate. It's textural with great acidity, lingering exotic spices, softer classic Syrah tannins, and a long finish.
The wine is already enjoyable and will age for 20+ years.
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2020 Syrah
Santa Maria Valley
Bien Nacido, Block X
Our Syrah comes from the oldest vines at the celebrated Bien Nacido property, located on the central coast of California. Harvested mid-September, the fruit was divided it into two small tanks , each filled up to 30% whole cluster and included a small amount of stems. Native fermentation and punch down were the main tools used for optimal skin-to-juice contact.
The wine was aged 18 months in 25% new French oak and is dark berry in color, peppery, floral, and expressive on the nose. The palate has classic notes of herbs and spice with balanced tannins. It has an earthy, meaty mid-palate characteristic with hints of salty-coast-melding with dried flowers. Structured with great acidity and richness with lingering spice.
This is classic cooler weather Syrah style but with full-skin maturity that the grapes receive while growing in sunny California.
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