93 Points (Cellar Selection) - Wine Enthusiast
91 Points - RP
90 Points - Steven Tanzer
90 Points - Burghound.com
We have had a great response every time we have offered a wine from Santa Barbara County’s Fess Parker Winery, as people seem to really appreciate this winery’s ability to create rich, full Chardonnay and Pinot Noir that still possess varietal character. Today we are lucky enough to offer their 2007 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir, sourced from one of the oldest Pinot vineyards in the area, and coming from 2007, widely regarded as the best Pinot vintage of the decade in California. Bien Nacido is in the Santa Maria Valley, which is another of California’s coastal valleys whose climate is heavily moderated by the influence of ocean fog and cooling wind. Santa Maria is particularly cold for California wine country, resulting in long growing seasons that often stretch into the latter half of October. This allows the grapes to hang on the vines and develop complex, rich flavors, yet the cool temperatures prevent them from becoming over-ripe and raisined. The result is exceptionally intense wines like this one from Fess Parker.
The 2007 Fess Parker Bien Nacido Pinot Noir has a lightly colored rim, but with a near-purple core foreshadowing a well-extracted, powerful Pinot. The nose is packed with blackberry, pomegranate, and vanilla. The palate is intense and complex, with plenty of pepper and spice accompanying the black-fruit, cola and sassafras flavors. The finish is long, with rustic, persistent tannins, and a slight hint of peppermint that lingers on the tongue. This is big, ripe, California Pinot, perfect for people who usually veer toward heartier reds, or to give to your friends that claim Pinot Noir is “too light.” Perfect with beef tenderloin, or any dish featuring earthy, rustic flavors. Best of all, we were able to secure this wine and an incredible price, and are able to offer it for just over $30, and incredible bargain for any wine, but especially for a Pinot Noir of this depth and class. You never get single vineyard California Pinot at this price, but WineHeist was able to pull it off!
Vineyard Source: 100% Bien Nacido Vineyard in the Santa MariaValley
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Barrel Aging: 16 months in 60% New French Oak
Cooperage: Ermitage, Seguin Moreau & Francois Frerer
Harvest Date: October 5th
Block: F Clone: Pommard & 2A
Brix: 24.5-25.5
Tons per acre: 2.6
Alcohol: 14.8% alcohol by volume
p.H.: 3.76
T.A.: .61g/100ml
Production: 2536-6 pack cases
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
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