- 2021 Sandler Wine Company Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley (7/28/2024)
This may be one of my very favorite Pinot Noirs and let me tell you why.
The winemaker is a fantastic & humble guy who has a super-deft hand with this grape guy and the real value within all his Pinot Noirs are evident, but this one is special.
All are are well crafted by a guy that truly undersyand the grape and not widely tasted by the big 6 or 7 critics and that's ok. They have a true and loyal fanbase which let/s face it, is much cooler. than shelf talkers that make them line-up while clueless. Now let's discuss the wine:
Nose of pure red raspberries, early season strawberris and watermelon. Tasting shows amazing balance and mothfeel with some texture and purity but make no mistake, the fruits are the star here and theres a few worth of mentioning. I will reiterate the red raspberries and strawberries but ass some cranberries to this mix. The color is electiric-like. It's round and layered and emboldened with those things that make Bien Nacido Pinot Noirs special and if you know, you know.
Some elegance and a bit of sassafras in the middle with a rubbed orange peel. I have had Sandler's Bien Nacido for many years running and this remains my single favorite version. It has perfect acidity and just seems to float across your tongue. It is long, true and precise and it is just amazing. (96 points)
Posted from CellarTracker