New ReleaseBien Nacido Estate 2020s

"The 2020 Chardonnay Solomon Hills Estate comes from the colder of Bien Nacido's two estates. It's located eight miles west of Bien Nacido and is the westernmost vineyard in the Santa Maria appellation. Vines are planted in beach sand, and there are no mountains to block sea breezes, so it is an especially cold, windy, foggy site. Matured in 40%...

"The 2020 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard comes from across the estate and was matured in about 45% new oak. Grapes were entirely destemmed this year. ""I was really worried about smoke taint,"" winemaker Anthony Avila says. ""It's said that you must discard all the green parts of the plant. It was the right choice, and I'd do it again.""...

"Baked fruit and vanilla aromas. Broad palate with plummy fruit balanced by a fresh and lively acidity." 90, Ronan Sayburn MS, James Doidge, Sarah Knowles MW, Decanter