Santa Barbara Wine Tasting

The taster is Josh Farrell, Wine Director of WineExpress.com, which is affiliated with the Wine Enthusiast magazine. He is tasting a bottle of Santa Barbara Wine Company’s 2008 Pinot Noir, North County Vineyards, Santa Barbara, which is a single vineyard Pinot from the Central Coast county of Santa Barbara. North County Vineyards is located next to the renowned Bien Nacido Vineyards. He describes the wine as having structure and depth, a pleasant strawberry nose with a hint of smoke or toast and also a hint of black cherry. On the palate, the strawberry and cherry fruit are up front, followed by black cherry and earthy tones, with hints of roasted nuts, and a long finish.

He also talks about the ocean breezes and fog that cool the area down, providing optimal growing conditions for Pinot Noir, and also the fact that the typical Northern California clones that were first planted in the area didn’t do well. Through experimentation, they’ve found that Dijon clones are better suited to Southern California; the combination of the climate and most appropriate clones for the area brings out the best flavors and characteristics of Pinot Noir. Mr. Farrell remarks about the Central Coast: “Great Pinots out of that region, great Pinots.”

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