2007 Bien Nacido Vineyards Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $52. The inaugural bottling under the Bien Nacido Vineyards label. · Deep reddishpurple color in the glass. Ripe black cherry and black raspberry aromas with plenty of smoky, toasted oak. Abundance of very ripe-flavored dark berry, black currant and black plum fruit dragged down by too much smoky oak. Softly textured and easy to approach, with the structure to age. Disappointing at this price especially considering the venerated vineyard source. Decent. Reviewed March 2, 2011

Winery: Bien Nacido Vineyards
From article: Mining for Very Good Over-$30 Pinot:Upping the Ante