2012 Tyler Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Old Vine
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Tasting notes
Brilliant ruby. Heady aromas of ripe red fruits, incense and cola, with suave floral and Asian spice nuances building in the glass. On the palate, intense, mineral-accented raspberry and bitter cherry flavors are complicated by vibrant blood orange and spicecake qualities and a touch of anise. Fine-grained tannins give shape and grip to an impressively long, nervy, focused finish that emphatically repeats the mineral and floral notes. This wine should age well on its balance.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
More marine and mineral-laced, the 2012 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Old Vine is more masculine and Burgundian than the N Block. Black cherries, underbrush, earth and licorice all come together beautifully, and this beauty hits the palate with a medium-bodied, seamless and elegant texture that carries fantastic length and persistence. Give it a year and enjoy bottles through 2022. Justin Willett continues to knock it out of the park with these new releases, and few people in the Central Coast are doing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay better than this guy. These all lean toward the more focused, energetic end of the spectrum, yet they have solid mid-palate depth, vibrant fruit and classy profiles that keep you coming back to the glass. Tel. (805) 769-4639; www.tylerwinery.com
The 2012 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard - Old Vine is laced with dark black fruit, smoke, cloves, menthol and new leather. Dense, rich and concentrated in the glass, the Old Vine is made in an intense, fruit-driven style built on volume. Hints of spice and cola are layered into the finish.