July 2006 Wine Tasting Notes: 2003 Pinot Noirs.
2003 Byron Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley
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Deep garnet color with high clarity makes an elegant introduction for this wine. This wine opens up with cherry, currant and plum backed by light notes of game and cardamom on the nose. On the palate, black berries and black currant take the foreground, backed by hard spice. Fruit becomes a bit more expressive over the course of the bottle but this is not a closed wine by any means. A light oak undercurrent is noted. A lasting finish of cherries and hint of strawberry comes at the end. Mild, soft tannins give for a velvety feel. A very mild alcohol sizzle on the throat does not diminish this wine. This wine is lush with flavor, elegant and solid with medium body. Good acidity and tannins in the face of solid and complex fruit suggest a 5 - 10 year aging potential. |
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RWB Score: 97 breakdown 14.5% alcohol $25.00 Retail (from winery); 15, 853 cases produced |
Unless you abhor reds (gasp!) or Pinot Noir (double gasp!), this wine is inviting and enchanting. It is a high scorer with appeal for everyone. The combination of flavors and moderate tannins hits such a sweet spot that an 'anti-fan' probably cannot be found. |
More Byron reviews
Detail
As expected, the 2003 vintage has resulted in rich wines from the Santa Maria Valley. Byron, a consistent producer of reputable pinots sourced from some of the most premier Pinot Noir vineyards in the area, has benefited from trials and tribulations of the 2003 growing season.
Fruit for this wine was sourced from three vineyards in the following proportions: Sierra Madre Vineyard (55%), Nielson Vineyard (40%), Bien Nacido Vineyard (5%). The wine was aged for 10 months in 100% French Oak (25% new).
The Sierra Madre Vineyard is one of the coldest vineyards in California and is subject to prolonged growing seasons. The vines produce silky, opulent wines with aromas of cherry, earthiness and spice. Characteristic also are scents of rose petals, clove and oak.
The Nielson Vineyard is touted as the oldest commercial vineyard in the area. Dijon clones planted in the vineyard were selected specifically for this site, ranked in the coolest category on the U.C. Davis scale. Growing seasons at his site are also among the longest in all of California. Benefiting form southern exposure, fruit from these vines is defined by firm structure, vivid color and concentration. The flavors are bold and complex with rich fruit and floral notes.
The Bien Nacido Vineyard is another of Santa Maria Valley’s older vineyard sites, tracing its roots back to 1837. It also bears one of the most formidable reputations. Fruit from this 800 + acre vineyard is sought out by many wine makers. Two of the wines reviewed this month are sourced entirely from this vineyard. On the grounds of the vineyard are two wine making facilities: one is shared by Qupe and Au Bon Climat and the other to Tantara Winery.
Bine Nacido Vineyard is also one of the major viticultural nurseries for certified varietal budwoods.
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5 points |
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Nose |
5 points |
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Palate |
5 points |
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Finish |
5 points |
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Tannins |
5 points |
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Acidity |
5 points |
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Alcohol |
4 points |
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Aging potential |
3 points |
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Overall quality |
10 points |
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