On Sale: $49.94 (was: $59.94)*
The Miller family's Bien Nacido Vineyard has been a coveted source of fruit for California’s top winemakers for decades, but as their eponymous label has grown, their own interpretations have emerged as some of the best (and best priced) examples from this California 'grand cru'. It’s been a fascinating trajectory to watch since the Miller family started with just a few hundred cases in 2005, and they have quietly become “one of the hottest wineries in California” (Galloni). The Pinot is of course a must try, and for the 2019 we wholeheartedly agree with Jeb Dunnuck that “this pure, ethereal beauty is a ‘Wow’ Pinot Noir.” The fact that it is under 50 bucks is just icing on the cake!
Bien Nacido has been a virtual household name in the wine world, not only as a source of Pinot, Syrah, and Chardonnay, but also as a world-class viticultural nursery. Per Galloni, “the best sections of Bien Nacido are the American equivalents of grand cru”, and other wineries love to advertise which block of Bien Nacido they have access to. For the Estate Pinot however, the Millers not only include the oldest vines on the property, but the highest elevation plot that they share with no other winery. From “one of the great cool-climate sites in California” (Dunnuck), the 2019 is a stunning 96pt Pinot Noir, and a Central Coast icon!
96 points, Jeb Dunnuck: "Moving to the reds, the 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido reveals a deeper ruby, almost opaque hue as well as a killer bouquet of mulled red and black currants, briny herbs, pepper, and wildflowers. It picks up more salinity and crushed stone-like minerality with time in the glass and is medium to full-bodied and flawlessly balanced, with no hard edges and a great, great finish. This pure, ethereal beauty is a “Wow” Pinot Noir as well as one of my favorites in the vintage."
*Offer publication date January 3, 2022. Pricing and availability subject to change.