Showing items 1
through 8 of
62
Byron 2008 Nielson Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $34
Silky and velvety soft in the mouth, coating the palate with extraordinary raspberry and cherry flavors, enriched with sweet oak, and spiced with cloves, cinnamon and white pepper. There are even notes of cocoa and orange zest. Yet brisk acidity makes it all clean and vibrant. It’s hard to imagine a California Pinot Noir tasting better than this—and what a…
— S.H.
(11/1/2010)
Byron 2002 Nielson Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $40
Where Byron’s regular ’03 Pinot is all about immediate gratification, this single-vineyard release, a year older, is a darker, brooding wine. Instead of red cherries, you get black ones. Cassis, too, and sautéed mushrooms with a splash of balsamic. Still there’s a delicious core of mocha. It’s an exquisite, silky Pinot Noir, firm and classic, and addictively drinkable.
— S.H.
(12/15/2005)
Byron 2007 Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- $40
A brilliant wine, massively sculpted and monumental, that shows how great this vineyard is. The wine shows densely concentrated flavors of blackberries and licorice, with the loveliest accent of sweet worn leather and rhubarb, flourished with the dusty spices that always characterize a fine Santa Maria Pinot Noir. Best now–2013.
— S.H.
(4/1/2010)
Byron 2007 Wente Clone Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
- $35
Oak dominates this 100% barrel-fermented Chardonnay, giving vanilla crème brûlée and buttered toast notes, but they marry well with the pineapple and pear tart flavors of the fruit. The overall impression is flashy and elaborate. The grapes come from the highly regarded Nielson Vineyard.
— S.H.
(7/1/2010)
Byron 2007 Monument Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- $60
It’s impossible to imagine this wine could have existed even five years ago, even though it hails from the extraordinary Nielson Vineyard that for many years has yielded Byron’s best Pinot Noirs, as well as Chardonnays. The ripeness level is something only modern techniques could achieve, and the 2007 vintage was great. Ultrarich in blackberries, cherries and dark…
— S.H.
(4/1/2010)
Byron 2008 Monument Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- $60
This best of barrels selection from Byron’s considerable number of vineyards in Santa Maria Valley is a stunner. It’s immediately likeable for its soft, creamy mouthfeel, and the way the raspberry, cherry, currant, bacon, cocoa and sandalwood flavors finish so rich, yet so dry. Seems too soft for the long haul despite the firm tannins, but should provide beautiful…
— S.H.
(11/1/2010)
Byron 2007 Nielson Vineyard Chardonnay (Santa Maria Valley)
- Editors' Choice
- $27
Here’s a very dry, steely and streamlined Chardonnay. Brims with mineral-infused pineapple tart, buttered toast and honey flavors. Feels wonderfully elegant and balanced, and will pair beautifully with barbecued salmon. The vineyard is located on the so-called Santa Maria bench, one of the region’s prime growing areas.
— S.H.
(7/1/2010)
Byron 2006 Monument Pinot Noir (Santa Maria Valley)
- $60
It’s been a pleasure to taste through Byron’s 2006 Pinots, because they show that this winery hasn’t lost the magic touch after all these years. This bottling, a barrel select from their best vineyards, is magnificent. Fully drinkable now for its lush berry-cherry and cedar flavors, it has rich Santa Maria spicy tannins that enable it to age effortlessly for up to…
— S.H.
(5/1/2009)
Showing items 1
through 8 of
62
advertisement
What We're Tasting
2009 Merry Edwards
Made from eight vineyards located throughout this sprawling appellation…
Facebook Activity
advertisement
Twitter Activity