Chanin, Bien Nacido Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley

My lone bottle of this vintage. An excellent bottle as others have described. A recent review by Philip67 nailed the notes but I didn’t think the wine was primary albeit the review is a good several years ago. This was drinking nicely and is ready to drink in my opinion. My next vintage of this that I have is 2016 so I will try that soon.

2013 vintage

A wonderful combination of fresh aromatic sweet red fruits. Another stunner from Chanin - just great balance of fruit and structure. Still very primary, no real farmyard or earthy notes. Tannins are medium, acidity is refreshing but not obtrusive. Persistent and moderate complexity. Still young, no real signs of ageing. The wonder of this wine is the fruit, so I would drink over the next 10 years to avoid missing out on the fruit.

2013 vintage

Elegant and perfumed, this shows intensity while definitely on the gentler side of the fruit spectrum. Raspberry pastille with touches of cherries, violets, and forest floor, there is a notable chalky minerality on the nose. The palate in multilayered and has a robust acid backbone with nicely integrated tannins. Perhaps a touch of tang on the back palate, the finish is long and primary. In an excellent holding position, but unlikely to considerably improve.

2013 vintage

Exceptionally smooth at first taste. Good length on pallet. Lovely colour. My idea of a classic CA Pinot noir

2013 vintage

Prior bottle was nearly a year ago and this wine remains in a good spot. Nose continues to show raspberry, floral and mineral qualities, along with a hint of vanilla now. Medium bodied with rounded red raspberry upfront while the mid-body shows brighter red cherry, darker plum and then tart red cherry on the backside. The cooler serving temperature brought it out a bit, but this wine showed a good mix of red and black fruit notes, especially through the …

2013 vintage

Beautiful aromatics. On the palate: unripe wild strawberry, tomato leaves, forest bramble. Definitely more on the savory side of the spectrum. Good acidity. Tannins could use a little bit more time to come together. Decanted in bottle for 1 hr. Not a stunning bottle but good winemaking. Tasted much more integrated on the second day. I would hold for the time being.

2013 vintage

Here I found zesty minerals up front, with bright cherry, green apple, sweet tea leaves, and exotic florals. On the palate, soft textures with depths of red berry fruits, sweet herbs and floral tones splashed across the senses. The finish was fresh with hints of ripe cherry and lingering inner floral tones.

2013 vintage

Prior bottle was exactly one year ago and it has evolved nearly exactly as I'd hoped. Raspberry, floral and mineral notes on the nose. Medium bodied with the bright red raspberry note from the prior bottle leading the way. Mid-body shows a bit more depth and nuance than previously: red cherry, plum and then tart, mineral accented red cherry and strawberry behind. Acidity and tannin both contribute to the structure so that the wine has a solid backbone, but it's …

2013 vintage

Raspberry, floral and mineral notes on the nose. Medium bodied (13.11% ABV) and with that purity and elegance that you expect from a Chanin pinot. Bright red raspberry upfront with a lot of additional depth through the middle as it brings in red cherry, tart strawberry and tart red cherry. Mid-body is tied beautifully into the finish with acidity, mineral notes and round red berries. After being open for about three hours (as well as warming from cellar temperature), it …

2013 vintage

Their Bien Nacido is from the older blocks in this huge vineyard that includes both sand and clay, and the later dominated where this fruit is from. Nice red fruit from raspberries and wild strawberries and with a slightly sweet touch. Some spices and smoke appear on the palate together with a soft but precise acidity and a very silky tannic structure. In the finish the fruit gets darker and more dense. This is a well balanced and elegant Pinot …

2013 vintage

Go West! Tasting (The QEII Centre, Westminster, London) : Crisp and ripe fruit, clean nose, nice red berry, balanced palate, nice acidity, sweet spice, med body and finish, nice easygoing.

2013 vintage

Ruby red color. Beautiful on the nose. Earthy, strawberries, faint leather and some perfume. Really pretty aromatics. Delicious taste. Strawberries and some watermelon, but not in the same way as other pinots. This is special stuff. Good luck finding it - if you do, buy it.

2010 vintage

Very high quality, exquisitely balanced pinot.

2010 vintage

Ruby, with a close nose, mid weight feel, nice mass appeal pino

2010 vintage

90 min decant. Great finish that lasts. Medium bodied. Good value.

2010 vintage

60 min decant- full bodied with tart finish. Still not in its prime but still great. Another 2-4 years will really round out the wine. Certainly will be a 94-95 pointer at that point. Good value

2010 vintage

60 min decant- medium bodied- nice finish- average value- will probably hit its prime in 12-18 months. No heat.

2010 vintage

Very high quality Pinot. Just as good as my first bottle.

2010 vintage

A very fine Pinot. Went very well wit my salmon. Will hold the second bottle for a bit and compare. Slight white pepper on the nose a bit of cranberry and blueberry I would say on the taste.

2010 vintage

Smooth, slightly neutral nose. On the palate, leans slightly green in its flavors. Tart cranberry acidity, almost verging on citrusy, as surprising as that sounds in a red. Promising and interesting in how cool climate it manages to be given its Santa Barbara origin. Nice wine, really like it. 91+

2010 vintage

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Chanin, Bien Nacido Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley

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