Vineyard: Clark & Telephone

OwnersChuck Wagner, Joseph Wagner
AppellationSanta Maria Valley
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2018 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., $55 (often discounted). Released October 2019. 100% de-stemmed, up to 2-week cold soak, closed and open-top stainless steel fermenters, punchdowns and punch-overs. Aged up to 9 months in French oak barrels (60% new). Racked twice after malolactic fermentation before making the final blend. · This wine reflects fruit that is left on the vine for an extended time so that the skins are dark, show orange peel dimpling and the seeds are brown. The resulting wine is relatively high in alcohol and resembles the Meomi brand crafted by the same winemaker, Joe Wagner. Very dark garnet color in the glass. Not particularly aromatic, with an aloof perfume of blackberry syrup and damp earth. The full-bodied array of purple and black berry fruits are thick on the palate. Sweet flavored, with some floral and earth contributions. Very modest dry tannins. The high alcohol is well-hidden. This wine could have come from anywhere. There are fans of this style of Pinot Noir, but it is not my cup of tea since it has little redeeming Pinot Noir perfume and refinement.. Score: 88. Reviewed August 29, 2020 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., $55. Released August 2017. Heavy wax on neck with pull tap opener, Winemaker Joseph J. Wagner. Produced and bottled by Belle Glos Wines in St. Helena. Martini clone. 100% de-stemmed. Up to 2-week cold soak. Fermented in a combination of closed and open-top stainless steel fermenters with punch downs and pump overs. Free-run juice to barrel. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 60% new, 40% seasoned. Racked twice, once after MLF and once before making the final blend. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of boysenberry jam, vanilla, caramel and menthol. Full-bodied and lush, with flavors of blueberry, boysenberry and blackberry backed by sweet oak and vanillin. There is a vanilla ice cream cone flavor that stands out to me. A flowing wine with a velvety texture that will appeal to those who like a succulent style. Very similar to Meiomi Pinot Noir. Score: 86. Reviewed January 20, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 4,757 cases, $40. Martini clone own rooted since 1972. Aged 9 months in French oak. · Dark violet color in the glass. The nose is infused with oak vanillin as is typical of Belle Glos wines. Added aromas of dark berries and purple rose elevate the nose. Big and bold, with plenty of sappy boysenberry and black raspberry fruit flavors, accented with espresso, spice and vanilla. Despite its heft, the wine is not ponderous, and the tannins are well matched. A very stylistic wine that might not appeal to the Pinot Noir purist, but well done in its style. Score: 89. Reviewed November 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., $41.50. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Unmistakably Belle Glos with vibrant aromas of dark cherries and berries, spice, balsam, dark chocolate and violets. Bold, almost syrupy, featuring flavors of dark stone and berry fruits, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla. Seductively plush and velvety on the palate with ripe, soft tannins. A richly layered, fruit driven wine that pushes the decadence envelope and who doesn’t enjoy decadence on occasion? Very good. Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., $44. Own-rooted Martini clone planted in 1972. Aged 9 months in 60% new French oak barrels. · Dark, deep violet color in the glass. This wine is oak vanillin-infused through and through. Moderately rich and plush flavors of candied plum, blackberry, black raspberry, exotic chocolate and spice are framed by good acidity and caressing, velvety tannins. Seductively soft and smooth on the palate, the wine finishes with a persistent wealth of fruit and a touch of heat. Score: 87. Reviewed October 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Meiomi Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $19, screwcap. 51% Monterey County, 23% Santa Barbara County and 26% Sonoma County. · Deep purple color in the glass. Aromas of black fruits, fig spread, vanilla and caramel. Moderately intense flavors of boysenberries, spice, candied violet, beet root and vanilla. The berry fruit is sappy and delicious and has the signature Belle Glos imprint, but there is too much vanilla from oak on board and the mild confected quality detracts for me. On the positive side, the tannins are well honed and the wine is velvety soft on the palate. Not a classic Pinot Noir by any means, but one that does deliver plenty of sweet, tasty fruit that some may find attractive especially at the modest price. Good. Reviewed October 2, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., $44. Released October 2012. Own-rooted Martini clone planted in 1972. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels. Dark violet color in the glass. 100% de-stemmed, extended cold soak, aged 9 months in 60% new French oak barrels. · Plenty to like on the nose with hi-tone aromas of spicy black plums, fresh blackberries and vanilla cream. A big gulp of exotically spiced plum and dark berry fruit is front and center, very seductive, expanding in the mouth, permeating every nook and cranny, and finishing with power, length and a velvety appeal. The creme soda-laced oak and cinnamon and clove spice flavors are complimentary. Similar to the 2010 version which was an “All-American.” This wine has something unique and recognizable to me. Not even close to classic or Old World traditional Pinot Noir, but it tastes great and drinks seamlessly. Cool package too. Reviewed February 27, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 3,475 cases, $44. Released December 2011. Established in 1972, this vineyard is planted own rooted to the Martini clone. 100% de-stemmed, inoculation of yeasts to match each lot, punch down and punch-over techniques. Yields 1.67 tons per acre. · Deep, dark purple robe in the glass. The nose is remarkably intense and persistent, pumping out aromas of dark berry jam, black currants, spice and vanillin over extended time in the glass. Flat-out stunning flavors of fresh black raspberries and blackberries with a complimentary exotic spice bent. Some refined tannins lead to a silky mouth feel. Astonishing length on the fruit-laden finish. I have rarely experienced a California Pinot Noir with such an incredibly long finish. Reviewed July 23, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., $35. 76 acres including own-rooted Martini clone dating to 1972. Yield 1.73 tons per acre. Aged 9 months in French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple in the glass. Opens slowly in the glass revealing aromas of black stone fruits, herbs, spice and oak. A burly, husky wine with a generous core of dark Pinot fruits accented by notes of anise and vanilla. The texture is silky, the tannins are reserved, and the wine finishes with generous oak-imbued fruit. Good. Reviewed July 1, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., $50. Aged in French oak for 9 months. · Deeply colored. Lovely perfume of red and black fruits with a touch of oak spice. Earthy, briny and meaty dark fruits complimented by oak and cloaked in supple tannins. Very smoothly textured making it easy to drink. A very distinctive wine that is reflective of the Martini selection and this terroir. I am usually not a big fan of Martini selection Pinot Noirs, but this wine really delivers the goods. Reviewed April 23, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »