Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard 2008

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The Vineyard  

Bien Nacido is a well-known vineyard in the Santa Maria Valley. On a bench that overlooks the Sisquoc River, this highly-esteemed vineyard is quite large and has numerous slopes and aspects. Bien Nacido, literally Spanish for “Born Well”, is one of the vineyards in Santa Barbara where Steele Wines purchases Pinot Noir grapes. Many of the most prestigious wineries in California purchase grapes from this vineyard. Our favorite block for the single vineyard wines is “N-Block” which gives the most intense fruit.

Winemaking

With Pinot Noir we take a minimal approach to wine making. Fermentations are carried out with as little manipulation as possible. We use a gentle crusher, one short pump-over per day and cool soak the grapes prior to the onset of fermentation. The wine is always elegant, perfumed and alluring. The wine from Bien Nacido is deeper, richer with more color and body than from other vineyards. Our aging program is always in French Oak barrels which are heavily toasted during the bending of the staves. This toasting gives a smoky aromatic backdrop to the wonderful cherry fruit aromas and flavors. We usually bottle the wine in December of the following year, so at a minimum the wine spends 12 months in French Oak.

Tasting Notes

This vineyard, given its coastal influence, produces a wine with ripe Bing cherry, cloves, and spice, aromas and flavors. But still has a balance of acidity and a finish that lingers of sweet tobacco and spices.

Food pairing

The rich fruit of this wine will compliment fillet steaks grilled over grape cuttings, or a seared Ahi tuna steak.

Awards

First place, 9^th annual Pinot Noir Summit Shootout 2008 vintage. Second place overall, Beaufort NC Food and Wine Festival 2008 vintage.