Byron Vineyard & Winery

Articles About Byron Vineyard & Winery

Reviewed Wines

2015 Byron Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

14.1% alc., 300 cases, $40. Clones 4 and 95. Barrel fermented with 100% malolactic fermentation and aged in French oak barrels, 69% new. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. The nose offers aromas of buttered popcorn, honey, pineapple core and lemon rind. Creamy in the mouth with well-ripened fruit flavors of yellow apple, pineapple, mango and pear. A bold, rich wine with nicely integrated acidity and a deft touch of oak. Well crafted in this fruit and oak driven style. Score: 92. Reviewed July 14, 2018 ARTICLE »

2015 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

14.4% alc., 400 cases, $40. Primarily Wente clone from cuttings obtained from the original Wente clone planted on the estate in 1964. Barrel fermented with 100% malolactic fermentation and aged in French oak barrels, 52% new. · Moderately dark golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of citrus peel, yellow grapefruit and ripe apple lead to a discretely rich styled wine with ripe flavors of pineapple, lemon and yellow peach underlain with complimentary oak. A good cut of acidity maintains a refreshing vibrancy. Score: 92. Reviewed July 14, 2018 ARTICLE »

2015 Byron Julia’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., $45. Pommard clone. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Heady aromas of purple berries and supportive oak. Silken in the mouth, featuring a discreetly concentrated core of cherry fruit and spice. This wine also leans on oak. Easy drinking with gentle tannins and an adequate finish. Score: 90. Reviewed July 21, 2018 ARTICLE »

2015 Byron Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $55. Clones 2A and Gamay. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 36% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. A deep well of blackberry fruit aromas gain traction over time in the glass. Velvety and luxurious on the palate, with a luscious array of dark fruit flavors including boysenberry and blackberry. A wellmannered oak compliment adds to the satisfaction as does the finish that is both ostentatious and lengthy. Score: 93. Reviewed July 21, 2018 ARTICLE »

2015 Byron La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., $55. Clone 777. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 55% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, underbrush, woodland spice and cigar lead to well-spiced flavors of black cherry and boysenberry. Sleek in the mouth with balanced tannins and a modest but satisfying finish. There is a bit too much oak barrel intrusion, but otherwise this is a delightful wine. Score: 91. Reviewed July 21, 2018 ARTICLE »

2014 Nielson by Byron Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.50, $19. Sourced from Sta. Rita Hills, Los Alamos and Santa Maria Valley appellations. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 5% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Pleasant aromas of wood-kissed cherries lead to an easy drinking, cherry-flavored wine with accents of black tea, a flowery infusion and oak. Nothing serious or contemplative, but a solid everyday wine with nicely integrated tannins and acidity. Score: 87. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Nielson by Byron Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.55, $29. Small lot fermentations, 10% whole cluster, extended maceration for some tanks. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 15% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of fresh berry tart and kitchen baking spices. Juicy and suave on the palate, with vivacious flavors of dark red strawberries and boysenberries. Very giving, with impressive balance. Score: 90. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

14.3% alc., 348 cases, $40. Wente and Dijon 95 and 76 clones. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 54% new. · Very light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Highly enviable aromas of lemon zest, almond, vanilla and brioche. Very enterprising on the palate, with hi-tone flavors of lemon, pear, white peach, melon and spice. Sleek in texture and refined in character with a palate cleansing finish. Score: 93. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Byron Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

14.3% alc., 255 cases, $45. Clones 95 and Wente 4. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 58% new. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Toast dominates the nose that also offers scents of citrus, white peach and pear. Much better with time in the glass with more energetic fruit aromas. The flavors of lemon, white peach, pear, fig and butter echo the nose but with more citrus singing. Sleek and clean, with a razor finish. Score: 88. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Byron Julia’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 342 cases, $45. Pommard 4 clone. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 39% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is dominated by oak-driven scents of coffee grounds and toast. Much more appealing on the palate, with mid weight flavors of dark red cherries and berries and heavy accents of oak toast and spice. Forward drinking and nicely balanced with sleek tannins, yet oak currently plays too big a role for me in this wine. Still replete with oak-infused black cherry flavor when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 87. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 1,984 cases, $45. Clones 114, 667, Pommard and Wädenswil 2A. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Boisterous aromas of dark red cherry and berry with a compliment of oak. Mid weight plus core of black cherry and boysenberry fruit flavors in a rather simple but pleasurable style. The mid palate has noticeable intent, the tannins are nicely balanced, there is an noticeable oak thread plying the background, and the finish shows some vigor. Score: 90. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Byron Sierra Madre Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 348 Cases, $45. Clone 667. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 31% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Oak-driven aromas of espresso, toast and spice lead to a lively palate of oak-kissed black cherry fruit. The fruit is juicy and vibrant, the tannins are modest and the finish attracts attention with its energy and gift of bright fruit. I wanted more fruit on the nose, and less oak infusion, but the wine delivered plenty of pleasure in the mouth. Score: 88. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Nielson by Byron Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.55, $45, screwcap. Swan and Calera clones. 33% whole cluster fermented. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of Hoison sauce, clove and blackberry jam lead off. A forward drinking wine that offers flavors of nutty oak-kissed black cherry and blueberry-pomegranate. The tannins are in check and the wine holds its alcohol well. I wanted more from the nose, but the wine is very giving on the palate and the whole cluster addition rounds out nicely the texture. Score: 90. Reviewed August 17, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Byron John Sebastiano Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 349 cases, $55. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 45% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Boastful black cherry fruit aromas are shy but appealing. Oak-kissed flavors of black cherry and boysenberry are elevated with juicy acidity. Discretely concentrated, with a silky mouthfeel, and some notable fruit engages on the finish. Score: 92. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Byron La Encantada Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 277 cases, $55. Clone 777. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 42% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, anise and pungent herbs reaching more expression over time in the glass. The mid weight core of earthy black cherry and blackberry fruits are embellished with herbal oak. A savory wine, with modest, balanced tannins and a revealing satiny texture that attracts interest. I tasted this wine over and over and just couldn’t find compelling delight. Score: 87. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Byron Monument Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., 390 cases, $65. Clones Wädenswil 2A, Pommard, Swan, Benedict Selection. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 78% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is primary, offering little even with vigorous swirling, except notes of oak-driven coffee and spice. Much more giving on the mid weight palate, offering fresh flavors of black raspberry and black cherry fruits. The satiny texture is very seductive and the wine is impeccably balanced with oak delicately augmenting the fruit flavors. Score: 92. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Byron Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 295 cases, $65. Clone “828.” Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 46% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry and subtle oak leave a good impression. Mid weight flavors of dark red cherries and berries with a very appealing expression of cherry fruit, especially on the finish. The tannins are silky, there is good acidity, and the oak offers subtle seasoning. A highly respectable wine that can be enjoyed now but will last in the cellar. Score: 93. Reviewed December 13, 2016 ARTICLE »

2013 Byron Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.56, 50,000 cases, $19, screwcap. Aged 8 months in 3% new French oak barrels. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Fragrant with aromas of cherry, rose and oak. A solid, easy drinking wine, with juicy mid weight black cherry flavor and a pretty good tug of oak. There is an earthy undertone and a hint of iron-driven minerality adding interest. The tannins are supple and the velvety mouthfeel is appealing. Amazing quality given the very large production. Score: 88. Reviewed December 10, 2014 ARTICLE »

2013 Byron Julia’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 115 cases, $45. This vineyard has some of the oldest vines in the region. Ancient alluvial sandy loam soils and cool, maritime influence. Planted in 1970 originally. Pommard 4 clone. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 39% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, ripe strawberry and sous bois lead off. Easy to like, with silky tannins, a suave texture, nicely integrated oak, and a generous amount of dark red and black cherry and berry flavors that linger on the finish. Still solid the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2013 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 1,750 cases, $45. Nielson Vineyard surrounds the winery and is more than just Byron’s Estate Vineyard as it has historical significance as the first commercial vineyard planted in Santa Barbara County in 1964 (and replanted in 2000). Thin sandy loam soils, cooling maritime influence. Dijon clones 114 and 667 and Pommard. 100% de-stemmed, 3 to 5-day cold soak, aged in 100% French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The first impression on this wine is oak as the nose and flavor spectrum is dominated by notes of espresso, caramel and toast. Although only 35% new oak was used, the halo of oak pervades this wine even over time in the glass and when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Soft and silky in texture, with lovely integration of tannins and acidity, the wine offers a core of black cherry, raspberry and plum flavors, and some finishing power. I gave the wine every chance, but the oak overlay proved too daunting to warrant a higher score. Score: 89. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2013 Byron Sierra Madre Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 225 cases, $45. A cool and exposed site in the Santa Maria Valley with sandy loam soils. Planted in 1974. Clone 667. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 31% new. · Moderately light reddish purple hue in the glass. Elevating aromas of cherry and spice cake that hold up over time in the glass. Very satisfying attack and mid palate presence of mid weight cherry, raspberry and brown spice flavors. Very charming personality, offering delicate fine-grain tannins, buried oak, and a highly approachable demeanor. Still engaging the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle. Tres Pinot. Score: 92. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2013 Byron Monument Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., 119 cases, $65. This wine is crafted from the best blocks of Byron’s Estate Nielson Vineyard. Dijon clones 114, 667 and Pommard. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 78% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Shy initially, picking up character over time in the glass to reveal aromas of cherry reduction sauce, spice and biscuit. On entry, there is an explosion of blackest cherry, blackberry and cassis fruit flavors that are refined and dance in a flirty manner on the palate. Very classy, with considerable polish, and remarkable intensity and length on the notable finish. The noteworthy finish still stood out the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. A beautiful expression of Central Coast Pinot Noir. Score: 93. Reviewed April 2, 2016 ARTICLE »

2012 Byron Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.46, TA 0.56, 9,919 cases, $29. Fruit primarily from the estate Nielson Vineyard (both old and newer vines) with a smaller amount from the Sta. Rita Hills. Aged 16 months in 18% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose attracts with aromas of spiced strawberry and raspberry, violets and vanillin oak. There is plenty of luscious spiced berry and plum fruit but it is somewhat overwhelmed by oakdriven notes of vanilla and dark chocolate. Easy to drink with submerged tannins, finishing a bit shallow and short. Score: 86. Reviewed July 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2012 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., $36. Released November 2013. Clones 114, 667 and Pommard from Santa Barbara’s first commercial vineyard. Aged 11 months in 35% new French oak. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. A dark-fruited wine with aromas and flavors of plum, black currant and blackberry with an earthy and brown spice underpinning. Mid to full-bodied, with hints of grilled mushroom and dried herbs, and plenty of oak overlay. Velvety on the palate with good finishing intensity. Score: 89. Reviewed July 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2012 Byron Julia’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.53, 344 cases, $45. Sourced from a small block of old vines planted in 1974. Aged 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. A nose of nuance with scents of red and black berries, baker’s spice, raw beef, and toasty oak. Full-bodied, oak-infused flavors of cherries and strawberries. This wine has a bold demeanor, but is not muscular. The tannins are well integrated and the wine is easy to like, although oak tends to play a prominent role in its demeanor. Score: 89. Reviewed November 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2012 Byron Monument Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.60, TA 0.53, 412 cases, $60. Composed of the winemaker’s selection of the finest barrels of the best blocks at the Nielson Estate. Swan, 667 and Pommard clones. Aged 16 months in 70% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas are hitone right out of the opened bottle, featuring blackberry, black currant, and plenty of spicy, sweet oak. Full-bodied, with well-ripened flavors of blackberry, cassis and cola. The wine has heft but is tempered by a juicy brightness that appeals. Balance is spot on and there is noticeable length to the fruit-infused finish. The svelte tannins provide good support and promise of age ability. Score: 91. Reviewed November 19, 2014 ARTICLE »

2011 Byron Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.65, TA 0.50, $19. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Very fragrant with an array of aromas including dark berries, spice, Hoison, cigar box and oak. Flavorful plum and boysenberry fruits with complimentary toasted and tobacco-imbued oak in the background. A middleweight style with balanced tannins and easy drink ability. Very good concentration for the vintage. A respectable representation of the Santa Barbara County region and an excellent valuepriced wine for everyday drinking. Good. Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Byron Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.50, 15, 207 cases, $29. 100% estate-owned Nielson Vineyard fruit. This wine comes from both older Pinot Noir vines planted on their own rootstock and new vines planted to high density spacing with the latest clones and rootstocks. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very appealing aromas of black raspberries, black plums, spice, pine and nut-scented oak. Mid weight flavors of dark berries, cherries and plums with pleasing hints of cola, spice and herbal oak. A little earthy tone fills the background. This wine is noticeably lighter, fresher and crisper in this vintage. Good. Reviewed March 23, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Byron Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.74, TA 0.50, 15, 207 cases, $29. 100% estate-owned Nielson Vineyard fruit. This wine comes from both older Pinot Noir vines planted on their own rootstock and new vines planted to high density spacing with the latest clones and rootstocks. Aged 10 months in 20% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very appealing aromas of black raspberries, black plums, spice, pine and nutscented oak. Mid weight flavors of dark berries, cherries and plums with pleasing hints of cola, spice and herbal oak. A little earthy tone fills the background. This wine is noticeably lighter, fresher and crisper in this vintage. Good (+). Reviewed April 13, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay

14.5% alc., pH 3.36, TA 0.59, 294 cases, $32. Released November 2012. Santa Barbara’s first commercial vineyard planted by Uriel Nielson in 1964. The Byron Estate is located on the site of Nielson’s original plantings. Clone 95 and Wente. 100% native yeast barrel fermented with 100% malolactic fermentation. Aged 12 months in 40% new French oak barrels. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Reserved aromatically with shy aromas of honey, vanilla and pastry cream. Full-flavored core of lemon drop, baked pear, honey, gingerbread and caramel. Very plush and creamy on the palate, lacking a little grip, but exhibiting accomplished use of oak as an adjunct. Score: 87. Reviewed July 21, 2013 ARTICLE »

2011 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $36. From Santa Barbara’s first commercial vineyard. Clones 114, 667 and Pommard. Small yields. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The aromatics are captivating with a complex array of black raspberry, blackberry, spice and floral aromas which hold up well over time in the glass. The dark red and black berry fruits are perfectly ripe and bright. There is a complimentary accent of spice and oak with an earthy undertow. This wine offers impressive clarity and tension and is very easy to drink now. I liked it increasingly over time. Score: 93. Reviewed August 14, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 Byron Whole Cluster Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.8% alc.. Mt Eden clone. · Deep, dark purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of fresh black cherries with coffee-laced oak. Still young and somewhat withdrawn, but showing bottomless plum and blackberry flavors laced with smoky oak and clothed in generous tannins. Should benefit from more cellar time to integrate the oak and tannins. Great potential. Very good. Reviewed July 21, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 Byron Clone 667 Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.69, TA 0.53, 50 cases, $45. A small lot wine that is part of the winery’s experimental approach to winemaking. Sourced from the estate Nielson Vineyard. 10% whole clusters. Aged 16 months in 100% new French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Reserved, but pleasant array of darker fruit aromas with a sexy perfume of a fine Prada leather coat. Earthy and meaty, relatively big, but polished, with a delicious core of well-spiced dark fruits, backed by firm, but balanced tannins. A very satisfying wine that only falls a tad short on the finishing length. Very good. Reviewed May 5, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 Byron Monument Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.57, 225 cases, $60. A small lot wine that is part of the winery’s experimental approach to winemaking. From Sanford & Benedict selections. A barrel selection that represents the finest red wine made each year. Aged 16 months in 100% new French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. A bit exotic and highly alluring on the nose with aromas of black cherry pie glaze, blackberries and spice. Earth-kissed array of darker stone and berry fruits that gently saturate the palate, finishing with a remarkable kiss of spiced raspberries. Velvety smooth in the mouth with ripe, balanced tannins and judicious presence of oak. Not overwrought like so many reserve-type wines. A complete wine that gets better and better over time in the glass. “Monument” is an appropriate name for this exceptional offering. Reviewed May 5, 2013 ARTICLE »

2010 Byron Whole Cluster Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.57, 225 cases, $60. Aged 16 months in 100% new French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Bright black cherry and spice aromas with oak-driven notes of coffee and smoke. Well-endowed with an intensely flavored core of black cherry fruit balanced with firm but powdery tannins and accented with oak. Has enough acidity to carry the fruit and tannin load. Soft and silky on the palate. Great potential here, but needs more time for the oak to integrate. Very good. Reviewed May 5, 2013 ARTICLE »

2009 Byron Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., $25. A popular wine with 12,835 cases of the 2008 vintage sold out. Aged 10 months in 25% new French oak barrels. Sourced from the estate Nielson Vineyard planted in 1964. · Deeply colored. Nicely scented with aromas of black raspberry tart, black cherries, smoky oak and rose petals. Sweet and rich with a powerful core of dark red stone fruits and berries and underpinnings of earth, anise and grilled meat. The tannins are supple and the wine’s richness and velvety mouthfeel courtesy of the alcohol will find fans. A grocery store staple that is in wide distribution. Good. Reviewed January 27, 2011 ARTICLE »

2009 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.9% alc., 1,028 cases, $34. From Santa Barbara’s first commercial vineyard, planted in 1964. Clones are 2A, Swan, 667, 828, 114, 115, 777. Small yields and tiny berries from a windy, arid site producing low-vigor. Aged 16 months in 30% new French oak barrels. · Highly aromatic with scents of plum reduction sauce, dark roses, lavender and Santa Maria spice. The flavors of dark plums, purple grapes and dark berries are quite distinctive and zesty, with an impressive aromatic lift of black cherries on the finish. A little earthy, a little spicy, with well-proportioned fine-grain tannins and a pleasingly smooth mouth feel. Drank beautifully the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Immensely satisfying. (Note: the 2009 Byron Santa Maria Valley bottling at $25 is quite good as well and was reviewed previously) Reviewed March 2, 2011 ARTICLE »

2007 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc.. The Nielson Vineyard was planted in 1964 by Uriel Nielson, the first commercial vineyard in Santa Barbara County. The site is windy, arid and cold leading to low vigor vine growth. Clones 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, 2A and Pommard. · Darkly colored. Intensely fruity nose featuring dark berries with a hint of oak toast, oak spice and sandalwood. Impressive explosion of fruit on the nose. Over time in the glass, aromas of underbrush and brininess that is common in the Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir fruit emerges. Plenty of pleasing red and black fruits on the palate with a sidecar of earth, tea and spice. A Caliesque-styled wine that provides plenty of pleasure at a decent price. Perfect with a grilled steak. Very good. Reviewed April 8, 2010 ARTICLE »

2007 Byron Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., $19. Estate produced and bottled. · Well-oaked cherry fruit with herbal overtones carrying through in the flavors. Noticeably toasty. Clean and precise with soft tannins. Matches up nicely with grilled lamb. Reviewed November 17, 2008 ARTICLE »

2004 Byron Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 17,609 cases, $25. A blend of grapes from the Nielson Estate Vineyard (90%) and Bien Nacido Vineyard (10%). Aged 10 months in 25% new French oak barrels. · This wine has a pleasurable perfume of raspberries, plums and oak. The flavors feature darker fruits enhanced by notes of leather and oak. An elegant, silky styled wine with a nice little cherry kick at the end. The tannins are well-integrated. Cellaring for six months should mellow the oak flavors. A solid daily drinker. Reviewed June 19, 2006

2003 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 418 cases, $40. A special bottling using a combination of 115, Pommard and Swan clones from one of the original Nielson Vineyard blocks used in experimental plantings. The block is high on the shoulder of the Santa Maria bench, which limits the soil depth and gives the site a slightly better exposure. Yield was a measly 1.5 tons per acre. The wine was aged in 30% new French oak barrels for 10 months. · The nose is deeply endowed with dark berries, toast and chocolate, building in richness in the glass (always a good sign). Interesting dark Pinot fruits with a little hint of tobacco and baking spices. Soft, sexy, elegant and finishes clean. The touch of French oak on the finish should move toward brown spice as the wine ages. A real charmer. Reviewed June 19, 2006