THE STORY
We stopped by Bernardus Winery in late October with an out of town visitor. My goal was to re-taste the 2018 Signature Marinus to update a recent post. And we lucked into a number of new releases, including its trio of 2022 Single Vineyard Pinot Noirs, which it is selling as a package deal! We tasted these wines without knowing their order – I guessed the Rosella’s right!
My last post about Bernardus was here: Bernardus Hosts Monterey AWS for the Very First Time!
ABOUT THE 90+ SINGLE VINEYARD PINOT NOIRS
“Explore our single vineyard Pinot Noirs from Gary Francioni’s vineyards in the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA. Each designated vineyard is expressive of its unique terroir.” $168 for the bundle (normally $240).
- 2022 Sierra Mar Pinot Noir- 95 points Wine Enthusiast
- 2022 Soberanes Pinot Noir- 95 points Wine Enthusiast
- 2022 Rosella’s Pinot Noir- 92 points Wine Enthusiast
THE WINES
Today I am presenting 5 Bernardus wines from this late October tasting. Winery notes come from the tasting sheet or their website, unless otherwise noted. Any errors are mine and mine alone. As a rule, I do not correct typos from the wineries’ websites.
2023 Bernardus Sauvignon Blanc, Griva Vineyard, Arroyo Seco AVA, Monterey County, 12.8% ABV, $28 (#1459)
Winery Notes: “Our 2023 Griva bottling has tropical fruit aromas accented by grapefruit and white peach. The palate exhibits hints of minerality with rich, lush tropical fruit flavors. With notes of guava, citrus peel, and stone fruit, this intense Sauvignon Blanc finishes with refreshing acidity.” 92 points- Wine Enthusiast.
My Review: Pale in the glass. Pineapple, grapefruit, perfume and honeydew on the nose. Bitter grapefruit zest up front, followed by Meyer lemon and grilled pineapple. October 2024
2023 Bernardus Rosé, Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence, France, 12.5% ABV (#1460)
Winery Notes: (Just released – no notes available as of yet!)
My Review: Ballet slipper pink. Honeydew on the nose. Flavorful palate of marshmallow, melon, watermelon and citrus. Lingering flavors in the palate. October 2024
2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV (#1461)
Winery Notes: “Santa Lucia Highlands’ two most renowned growers, Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni, have joined forces on an exciting vineyard located next to the celebrated Garys’ Vineyard in the heart of the Santa Lucia Highlands. It is called Soberanes Vineyard. We at Bernardus are honored to be among the few wineries to receive both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from this fabulous vineyard! We have chosen two Pinot clones: the celebrated Pisoni clone and Dijon clone 667.
“Our 2022 Soberanes Pinot exhibits aromas of ripe blackberry and cola. Typical of this special vineyard, the palate is full and intense with flavors of ripe, dark red fruits. The finish is long, rich and silky.”
My Review: Cherry and earth on the nose. Lighter palate of very SLH flavors but without sour cherries. Pomegranate, cranberry bright red fruit and soft spices. October 2024
2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Sierra Mar Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.1% ABV, $70 (#1462)
Winery Notes: “Sierra Mar is a superb vineyard planted by the renowned grower Gary Franscioni on a dramatic hilltop location at the southern end of the Santa Lucia Highlands. We at Bernardus are honored to be among the few to receive both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from this SLH super star…
“Our 2022 Sierra Mar Vineyard Pinot Noir exhibits seductive scents of ripe red cherries and raspberries accented with hints of spice. The palate shows bright fruit flavors of cranberry, plum and baking spice notes on a long flavorful finish.”
My Review: More purple in the glass. Darker, sweeter fruit in the nose. A much bigger palate of warm, dark plum and brown sugar with an acidic punch. October 2024
2022 Bernardus Pinot Noir, Rosella’s Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, Monterey County, 14.4% ABV (#1463)
Winery Notes: “The Santa Lucia Highlands are known as one of the premier Pinot Noir appellations of the world. One reason for this lofty reputation is Rosella’s Vineyard, one of the finest Pinot and Chardonnay vineyards in California. Gary Franscioni planted his home ranch, named for his lovely wife, in the heart of the Highlands. His home vineyard is planted with a selection of the best available Pinot Noir clones and farmed with unparalleled passion and attention to detail. We at Bernardus are fortunate to have access to three small blocks: 2 planted with Dijon clone 777, and a third with the celebrated Pisoni clone.
“Our 2022 Rosella’s Pinot displays beautiful aromas of ripe plums and boysenberry. The palate is very rich and full-bodied, with ripe black cherry flavors accented by subtle baking spices ending with soft tannins and a long, silky finish.”
My Review: Even a richer wine. Warm nose and big rich dark palate with a leathery, tannic finish. I like this wine the best of the 3. I have become a huge Rosella’s fan. October 2024
THE TASTING ROOM
Welcome to the Bernardus Tasting Room – The first tasting room in Carmel Valley!
“In June 1994, pioneer Ben Pon opened the doors to the first-ever tasting room in Carmel Valley, establishing a legacy that endures to this day. While in the region enjoy a scenic journey along the 17-mile drive from Pebble Beach to our Tasting Room, where you can savor some of the highest quality wines in the region. Visit us!”
Location: 5 West Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley. Open Sunday and Monday – 12:00pm to 4:00pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday – 11:00am to 4:00pm; Friday and Saturday- 11:00am to 5:00pm.
© Decanting Monterey 2024
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