Bernardus Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2016 | Bargain No Brainer Full Throttle Pinot
Full-throttle, Pinot Noir showing bright ruby in color. Savory herbs, black cherry and raspberry, and dark chocolate dominate the nose. Round on entry with plush tannins, coffee, raspberry and roasted nuts on the long finish. Drink Bernardus Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2016 now through 2022.
More Sensational Red Gems under $35
Bernardus Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2016 is a beacon of value. First, showing “vivid dusty blackberry and wild berry notes,” according to Wine Spectator. Yet, Kosta Browne’s 2014 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir will set you back $104. But this Bernardus Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2016 boasts the same-appellation provenance. In addition a Burgundy expert, a homegrown winemaker, and a price that makes stocking up a no-brainer. While, Bernardus normally tops the charts with swanky, vineyard-designate Pinot Noirs that keep the Monterey champion on every critic’s radar. But the 2016 Pinot may be the best bargain of the year!
Santa Lucia Highlands | Bernardus Winery
Bernardus’ three estate vineyards — first, Marinus, located in Cachagua and planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec. Next, Featherbow, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon grow in front of the winery. Finally, Ingrid’s Vineyard, located 10 miles west of Marinus and planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir — are managed by Matt Shea. A champion of sustainable practices that ensure vine and soil health while reducing reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides. His goal is to produce the best possible fruit while caring for the land on which it grows.
Winemaker Dean De Korth
Crafted by winemaker Dean De Korth, a Monterey native who has spent time at Burgundy giants Leflaive, Lafon, and Morey. While this lively, cherry-scented red is already drawing raves from the Bernardus fans who locked into bottles of our first allocation, like this 5-star rant: “Great big flavor, lovely lasting finish. Let this one open for at least an hour before drinking!”
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Give Dean De Korth those raw materials, and something special is bound to happen. And he’s proven that it doesn’t take a big-name vineyard to make a big-time impact. So in 2016, he blended grapes from four vineyards. Including from their exclusive Ingrid’s vineyard, an oceanside site normally reserved for their $80 single-vineyard bottling. Granite soils and Pacific influence collide in this crimson gem, producing a fresh, spicy, distinctly Californian Pinot. Ten months in French oak adds cult-level swagger to this value bottling in the form of dark chocolate, toasted nuts, and coffee across its velvety-smooth palate.
