By Bernardus
2016 Soberanes Pinot Noir

Vineyard
Santa Lucia Highlands' two most renowned growers, Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni, have joined forces on an exciting vineyard located just south of 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 exciting vineyard. We have chosen two Pinot clones: the celebrated Pisoni clone and Dijon clone 667.

Tasting Notes
The 2016 Soberanes displays a beautiful ruby robe and vibrant red fruit aromas. The palate exhibits crisp flavors of ripe red cherry and raspberry with a long finish, promising an excellent future ahead.

Fermentation
All our grapes are hand-picked and sorted at the winery. Our Pinots are destemmed and gently pumped into small fermenters retaining as many whole berries as possible. Each fermenter is hand-punched or pumped over twice daily until fermentation is complete. The vats are then gently pressed and the wine aged in barrel for ten months before bottling.

Wine Details
Source: Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
Blend: 100% Pinot Noir
Picking Date: August 30th, 2016
Cooperage: 100% French, about 40% new, Sirugue and Billon
Bottling: August 2017
[Information provided by Matador Vino]

2016 Bernardus Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard
Producer: Bernardus
Location: USA, California, Central Coast, Monterey County, Santa Lucia Highlands
Color: Red
Rating: 92
Tasting Date: 2/14/2019
Maturity: 2018 - 2026
Reviewed By: Jeb Dunnuck        
Source: Santa Cruz Mountains and the Santa Lucia Highlands
More dark fruit-driven, with plenty of blackberry and black raspberry notes as well as spice and orange zest, the medium to full-bodied 2016 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard has plenty of charm and a terrific sense of elegance. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years.

Bernardus Winery 2016 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard
Rating: 92
Santa Lucia Highlands, Central Coast
Red wine from United States
Drinking window: 2022 - 2028
Deep vivid red. Lively, sharply delineated red berry and cherry scents are complemented by suggestions of cola, five-spice powder and smoky minerals. Smooth and focused on the palate, offering vibrant raspberry, cherry cola and spicecake flavors that deepen slowly with air. Silky, harmonious tannins add shape to an impressively long, red-fruit-driven finish that shows very fine detail and nervy cut.
Josh Raynolds. Tasting date: July 2018

Bernardus 2016 Soberanes Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Lucia Highlands)
Rating: 91
Price: $75
Designation: Soberanes Vineyard
Variety: Pinot Noir
Appellation: Santa Lucia Highlands, Central Coast, California, US
Winery: Bernardus
Bottle Size: 750.00 ml
Category: Red
Date Published: 12/1/2018
Reviewed by: Matt Kettmann
Elegantly earthy on the nose, this bottling starts with aromas of pomegranate, rose petals and dried herbs. The palate is quite tart with flavors of sour Montmorency cherry, and the savory dusting of herbs and baked earth balances the sip.

BERNARDUS Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Soberanes Vineyard 2016
Score: 87
Country: United States
Region: Monterey County
Issue: Web Only - 2018
Touches of mint and bay leaf add flavor, while the core is centered on dried berry, loamy earth, anise and cedar notes. Drink now. -JL