2020 Babs Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County

About the Wine

The 2020 Babs Pinot Noir label grabs your attention, and the wine, after just one sip, keeps you coming back.

This 92-point Babs from Santa Barbara (Barbara…Babs…we see what they did there) is a collaboration between winegrower John Wagner and winemaker Adam Lee. Wagner—who owns John Sebastiano Vineyard and Peake Ranch Vineyard and Winery—is most likely the largest landholder in Sta. Rita Hills. Lee of Siduri Wines fame is known for his critically acclaimed Pinot Noir. Together, these two serious wine pros have created one serious Pinot Noir and wrapped it up in the fun, throw-back, draw-you-in label of Babs.

How serious is it? Pinot Noir thrives in Santa Barabara County, particularly in the county’s Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley AVAs where the temperature is perfect for cool-climate lovin’ Pinot. The fruit for this side project is sourced from three of Wagner’s vineyards: John Sebastiano Vineyard and Peake Ranch Vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills and Sierra Madre Vineyards in Santa Maria Valley. The Pinot Noir grapes from Santa Maria bring deep color and flavors while those from Sta. Rita Hills provide fine tannins, structure, and an earthy spiciness.

Between Wagner’s grapes and Lee’s Pinot Noir winemaking skills, Babs is a rich, satisfying Pinot from two of California’s best Pinot AVAs. Perfect with about anything you’re making for dinner: risotto, salmon, duck, chicken, beef bourguignon…

It’s a serious Pinot Noir, with a fun name, fun label, and a fun price that holds up to much more expensive Pinots from the region.

Wine critic, Jeb Dunnuck spoke about the 2020 vintage in Santa Barbara County stating that " Santa Barbara County is the shining star in California in this vintage, and this is where California wine lovers should focus their attention and wine budget." and stated that "Santa Barbara County had a terrific vintage."

Tasting Notes: 100% Pinot Noir.  Aromas of raspberries, cherries, and vanilla. Fruity on the palate, with savory, earthy spices with a great balance of acid and tannins.

Reviews

This is a rich and satisfying expression of Pinot Noir by Adam Lee. Candied black-cherry and buttery cinnamon roll aromas lead the nose into a tighter palate, where ripe red-cherry and pomegranate flavors are spiced by cracked pepper, crumpled sage, and a hint of bay leaf.~92 Points, Wine Enthusiast.

Coming from a collaboration with Adam Lee and John Wagner, made at Cambria, the 2020 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County is a juicy, up-front, fruit-driven Pinot Noir with lots of Bing cherry, pomegranate, and peppery herb-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, nicely textured, and balanced, with plenty of mid-palate depth, it's going to be a smoking value for those who love up-front, Coming from a collaboration with Adam Lee and John Wagner, made at Cambria, the 2020 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County is a juicy, up-front, fruit-driven Pinot Noir with lots of Bing cherry, pomegranate, and peppery herb-like aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied, nicely textured, and balanced, with plenty of mid-palate depth, it's going to be a smoking value for those who love up-front, impeccably made Pinot Noir. Drink bottles over the coming 3-5 years.~90-92 Points, Jeb Dunnuck.

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