Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah 2023
Santa Maria Valley

Vineyard & Region

Bien Nacido Vineyard is undoubtedly one of the most legendary vineyards in all of California. Situated in the cool Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County. It is one of the oldest cool-climate vineyards and home of the world’s most single vineyard designations, Bien Nacido Vineyard has been an acclaimed source of world-glass grapes and estate wine since its founding in 1973 by brothers Stephen and Bob Miller.

Varietal Composition & Elevage

100% Syrah in 50% new French oak for 15 months

Winemaking

This wine is a blend of Estrella clone and 383 clone syrah grapes, which are fermented separately. These grapes come from Blocks 11b and 49. They are hand-picked, fully destemmed, with 30% of the stems reintroduced during fermentation. The process starts with a 3-day cold soak in an open-top tank, with three punchdowns daily. The wine remains in contact with the skins for a total of 24 days.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 Bien Nacido Vineyard Syrah presents an intensely saturated, opaque deep-red color. The aromatic profile is distinctly varietal, showing brambly black fruit, cracked black pepper, and expressive violet florals, complemented by subtle savory and mineral nuances. Full-bodied and supple on the palate, the wine exhibits a round, silky texture with concentrated flavors of ripe berry compote and blackberry, layered with wild thyme, sea spray, and cocoa powder.

The palate is generous and seamless, with well-integrated tannins and balanced acidity providing freshness and definition through the finish. Its combination of fruit concentration, savory complexity, and polished structure makes the wine immediately approachable, while the depth and underlying framework suggest excellent potential for further development with bottle age.

Technical Data

pH: 3.8 TA: 6 g/L Alc: 14.3%