Bernardus Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2021 (Magnum 1.5L)
Pinot Noir | US
Let the popcorn popper of your mind start cranking with gift and party scenarios. We have beautiful 1.5-liter bottles of richly expressive California Pinot Noir.
Nephew’s wedding, friend’s 40th birthday, the karaoke party snowballing into the “Dance the Night” scene from the Barbie movie… bring this, and relish the record scratch when everyone sees that handsome, oversized bottle. It’s a darkly delicious 2021 Pinot made by Monterey County stalwart Bernardus Winery. This is a full-bodied, full-on crowd-pleaser. We love the balance of earthy elegance and ripe-raspberry sweetness.
The fruit – 100% Pinot Noir – was sourced from a couple vineyards in the esteemed Santa Lucia Highlands. It spent a friendly seven months in French oak barrels. The nose is brooding, as Wine Enthusiast said in their 92 point review, and we almost hesitate to use that word lest you think this is moody. It’s not – it’s in a great mood! The inviting perfume of blackberry cobbler, fresh-ground pepper, amber, and black plum skin gains some intellectual intrigue from licorice and pine sap. It all carries through to the palate, where red raspberry and violet pastilles are anchored by a little graphite and truffle and darkly turned earth. There is baking spice to be sure – a smack of cardamom – and the finish has this wonderful sensation of percolating coffee. It’s rich and extroverted, but graced with the prettiness and depth of the long, cool 2021 growing season. This is a LOT of good wine for the price.
The winemaker is Jim McCabe, who climbed the ranks after coming to Bernardus in 2009. The winery was founded in Carmel Valley by a Dutchman, Bernardus (Ben) Pon, who died in 2019 after a big, adventurous life that included representing the Netherlands in skeet shooting at the 1972 Munich Olympics and racing Porsches. Fun fact: his father sketched the original concept for the VW Bus.
Ooo… one last thought on gifts: Doesn’t the stylish lettering on the label make this a great present for anyone whose name starts with “B”? There’s no minimum purchase to get our stellar price, but given that magnums age more slowly, maybe buy a few extra to save yourself in those panicky moments when there’s no time to get a gift for the event that’s in an hour. Or is that just us?
About the Producer
Bernardus Winery was founded in 1989 by Bernardus “Ben” Pon, a Dutch entrepreneur, racing enthusiast, and Olympic marksman. He was drawn to Carmel Valley’s west-facing slopes, hot days, and cold nights, and set about building a portfolio starring Marinus – an estate-grown Bordeaux blend – Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon Blanc. Bernardus has been ambitious in terms of reach, growing to 50,000 cases a year, with placements in restaurants and shops. But also eager in terms of quality, sourcing exclusively from respected Monterey County growers and their own estate, with smaller-production bottles offered directly from the winery. In 1996, Ben opened the first tasting room in the village of Carmel Valley. In 2017, fellow Dutchman Robert van der Wallen – who developed the Bernardus golf course and club – purchased the winery and continued to glean wisdom from Ben until his passing in 2019. Robert continues the journey. Dean De Korth was the winemaker for 18 years, succeeded in 2023 by Jim McCabe, his longtime assistant.
- Blend100% Pinot Noir
- WinemakerJim McCabe
- CountryUS
- RegionCalifornia
- Sub-RegionCentral Coast
- AppellationSanta Lucia Highlands
- Oak100% French oak barrels
- Aging/Cooperage7 months
- Alcohol14.1%
- Production840 cases cases
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