BIEN NACIDO ESTATE & SOLOMON HILLS ESTATE
SANTA MARIA VALLEY, CALIFORNIA 2020
Details matter. The difference between a good meal and a great one? Or between a performance that brings thunderous rounds of applause versus one that merely elicits polite and admiring clapping? So often it comes down to a mastery of the little things -- the little things that aren't little.
And that's why we're so passionate about the wines from Bien Nacido and Solomon Hills.
And why we're so pumped to be able to bring you this phenomenal trio from these superstar sister estates, all from a great 2020 vintage: the 98-point Solomon Hills Pinot Noir; the 96-point Bien Nacido Estate Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley; and the 94-point Bien Nacido Estate Chardonnay Estate.
What makes these Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays stand out in an ocean of Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays?
To begin with, the elements. The weather of the Santa Maria Valley, in Calfifornia's Central Coast, might not make for a relaxing vacation, and you wouldn't want to have to rely upon the poor, sandy soils to grow the kind of crops that flourish elsewhere in this agricultural valhalla of a state, but for producing world-class wine grapes? Absolutely optimal.
Not only do these conditions bring bright acidity, vibrance, and character to the fruit, but the clusters grow small, with tiny grapes that concentrate the flavors. And winemaker Trey Fletcher -- who oversees operations at both estates -- is a stickler when it comes to de-stemming, a laborious and painstaking process, but one that nearly always results in greater clarity and focus in the wines. He's also smart to keep yields low, which means that he can be more hands-on in the crafting.
In the cellar, Fletcher's focus is on coaxing forth a wine's aromatics, expressiveness, and finesse.
All three qualities on dramatic and vivid display in the Solomon Hills Pinot Noir. In its almost poetical 98-point rave, The Wine Advocate hailed it as a wine with a "singular personality. Pure strawberry and raspberry are accented with wafts of lemon peel, wild mint, juniper and dried herbs, continuing to unfold as it airs in the glass. Medium-bodied, uber silky and fresh, it features concentrated berry fruits and a wave of herbal nuances across the long finish."
Jeb Dunnuck was equally gushing about the 96-point Bien Nacido Estate Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley, calling it a "thrilling, brilliant wine," and writing: "I loved the nose on the 2020 Estate Pinot Noir, which offers a wild assortment of red and black berries, sappy herbs, flowers, iron, and exotic baking spices. These carry to a medium-bodied, concentrated, focused, age-worthy Pinot Noir with beautiful depth of fruit, ripe tannins, and a great finish. I followed this bottle for multiple days, and it only got better."
Finally, the 94-point Chardonnay Estate, which, though a white, is no less complex on the nose or on the palate, and sings with the unmistakable character of an old-vine wine (it was sourced from vines planted in 1973). The Wine Advocate gloried in its "pretty" aromatics ("golden apples, burnt lemon peel, dried tarragon and lots of spicy accents with a gentle creaminess in the background"), its "satiny" palate, "bright acidity," and "long and mineral-driven" finish.
There you have it folks: three wines that speak to the best of California, with the attention to detail that elevate them into the category of world-class.
Our allocations for each are, unfortunately, limited, so act now to secure yours today!
*Offer NOT valid in-store. This offer is made pre-arrival, with wines estimated to be delivered to your preferred store in Summer 2023. With the supply chain issues that we are seeing globally, there may be some unforeseen delays which could affect the ETA. All sale prices are the lowest available at Total Wine & More and ONLY valid through Concierge Sales. No further discounts or coupons may be applied. Offer not valid in MD, MI, NC, NM, NY, or TN. This offer is for ONE WEEK, or until sold out, and will expire on Sunday, April 9th, 2023.
*Due to limited storage space for pre-ordered product, we can only hold orders for 30 days from the first notification that your order is ready for pickup. If you are unable to pick up your order within 30 days, please contact Concierge Sales at (855) 841-2752 or conciergesales@totalwine.com to make an arrangement. A store associate may reach out periodically to notify you of your order. Unfortunately, if no arrangements have been made, after 30 days, the order will need to be cancelled and we will provide a full refund. No orders will be cancelled without multiple communication attempts.
