Cuvee Bertrand Pinot Noir
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2028
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
roasted duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, herb-crusted rack of lamb
✨ Technical Specifications
Dominion Tantara's Cuvee Bertrand Pinot Noir is a masterful tribute to Burgundian tradition, named in honor of Bertrand de Villaine of the legendary Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, reflecting a deep-seated respect for Old World elegance. Sourced from prestigious, cool-climate vineyards within Santa Barbara County, this cuvée represents a meticulous selection of barrels that best express the harmony of the region. The winemaking philosophy employs traditional French techniques, including fermentation with native yeasts and aging in select French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered, the wine captures the pure essence of the terroir, displaying a sophisticated balance of vibrant red berry fruit, forest floor complexity, and a silky, seamless texture that pays homage to its noble inspiration.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1997 by Virginia natives Bill Cates and Jeff Fink, Dominion Tantara (originally founded as Tantara Winery) was born from a mutual passion for cool-climate Burgundian varieties. Operating out of the historic Rancho Tepusquet within Santa Maria Valley's celebrated Bien Nacido Vineyard, the winery sources fruit from elite Central Coast terroirs, including Dierberg, Talley Rincon, Zotovich, and old-vine blocks of Bien Nacido. Benefiting from east-west transverse maritime corridors that funnel morning fog and cool Pacific winds across benchland sandy-loam soils, the estate emphasizes long hang-times with natural acidity preservation. Viticultural practices focus on sustainable management with meticulous canopy care. Cellar vinification embraces low-intervention Burgundian traditions: selective whole-cluster fermentations, native yeasts, and aging in fine-grained French oak barriques. Benchmark bottlings include single-vineyard expressions such as Bien Nacido Vineyard O Block Chardonnay, Zotovich Vineyard Chardonnay, and Dierberg Vineyard Pinot Noir, prized for their tension, crystalline minerality, and savory aromatic depth.
🍇 Grapes
Pinot Noir
🍷 ABV
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