2006 Pinot Noir - Santa Barbara County / Bien Nacido Vineyard

90 points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine

GRAPE SOURCE
With a rich history, beginning in 1837 as a Spanish land grant, Bien Nacido Vineyard has now become one of the most prestigious and best known vineyards in the Santa Maria Valley of Santa Barbara County - a region with a well-deserved reputation for producing world class Pinot Noir. Gary Farrell Winery has sourced fruit from this historic vineyard for more than twenty years. The Pinot Noir was hand-picked from N and Q blocks. Four clones of Pinot Noir were selected for planting: Pommard clone 4, Dijon clone 114, Dijon clone 115 and Dijon clone 777. The vines were planted to a high density on low vigor rootstock on a south-western facing slope.

WINEMAKING
The 2006 growing season saw a cool spring followed by a cool summer punctuated with a heat wave in July, and a relatively late harvest. These grapes were hand-harvested in the early morning on September 29th, then, after the clusters were de-stemmed, the must received a 5-day cold soak prior to fermentation. The finished wine was matured in a mix of 44% new, 56% two-year-old French oak barrels for 12 months prior to bottling.

WINEMAKER'S NOTES
The 2006 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir has pretty aromas of raspberries and black cherries with a hint of spiciness, and a fine, voluptuous texture and good acidity. Decant before serving and enjoy this very sophisticated, intriguing Pinot Noir over the next decade as the flavors continue to evolve. This wine pairs beautifully with duck confit and braised broccoli rabe.

Bottled: December 6, 2007
Winemaker: Susan Reed
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 14.1%
Case Production: 388
Acid/pH: 0.65/3.39
Released: June 2008
Appellation: Santa Barbara County

PAST VINTAGES
2005 Pinot Noir - Santa Barbara County, Bien Nacido Vineyard