This was made from a special selection of Estrella clone Syrah, aged for 12 months in neutral French oak barrels.  Bottled without any fining or filtration.  The wine has developed a natural deposit, so I recommend decanting it for the wine to be at its best.  It is totally ready to drink now, but will continue to age for at least another 5-10 years with good storage.  As the wine is over 10 years old at this stage,

This wine is always the most elegant of our single vineyard Syrahs and is named after my mother Sonnie, who left this world in November 2022.  It is a bittersweet release due to her passing…and it’s the last Syrah that I made from this vineyard, as it was sold in January of 2021.

The aromas show black fruits such as berries and plums, with white pepper and coriander.  Coming from the warm 2020 vintage, this wine is drinking nicely already, but will benefit from 8-12 years of additional bottle age.

Bob Lindquist

July 2023

*95 points Antonio Galloni Vinous

*94 points The Wine Enthusiast 'Cellar Selection'

*94 Jeb Dunnuck

The Oldest Syrah block at Bien Nacido, planted in 1973 to Riesling and grafted in 1986. Old school, 100% whole cluster used.

*92 points "Cellar Special" Wine Enthusiast

*94 Antonio Galloni Vinous

*91+ Jeb Dunnuck

The 2020 is textbook Z Block -  spicey, black pepper, with dark berry character. In spite of the riper character, the wine has great balance, so should age nicely for at least 10-15 years!

*95 points Jeb Dunnuck

*94 points Antonio Galloni Vinous

*92 points The Wine Enthusiast 'Cellar Selection'

The 2020 Lindquist Family Marsanne is dry and fresh and went through complete malo for complexity and richness.

"Floral notes, melon, white flowers and mint are all beautifully lifted". *92 Antonio Galloni Vinous

This is an elegant, cool climate expression of Mourvedre, with classic earthiness, spice and wild berry aromas.  It is a bold wine on the palette, with moderate tannins and refreshing acidity. 

*93 Antonio Galloni VINOUS - "The 2021 Sonnie's Syrah is soft, racy and curvy. Inky blue/purplsih fruit, black pepper and lavender runs through this sensual, exuberant, open-knit Syrah. Already very approachable and harmonious, the 2021 Sonnie's Syrah captures the essence of Bob Lindquist's style."

*91 Wine Enthusiast

*96 'Editor's Choice' Wine Enthusiast

This wine is classic cool climate Syrah from a cool vintage.  The aromas show hints of white pepper, dried raspberries and fresh herbs.  The flavors are full bodied, fruit forward with modest tannins.  The elegance and balance of this wine will support aging in the cellar for many years.

*95 Antonio Galloni Vinous - "The 2021 Syrah Bien Nacido Z Block Syrah - The Original Hillside - is a sweeping, dramatic, deeply expressive wine. Silky contours wrap around a core of blue/purplsih fruit, licorice, lavender, mocha, spice and black pepper. A touch of whole clusters add fragrance throughout."

*94 "Cellar Selection' Wine Enthusiast

A balanced, savory style of Syrah, which is enhanced by the cool climate vineyards used in this blend. This also gives the wine a distinct spice and dark berry character, with fresh, natural acidity.

*93 'Editor's Choice' Wine Enthusiast

*91 points Antonio Galloni Vinous

This wine has a beautiful cherry red color with a hint of magenta from the Syrah.  The aromas and flavors also show cherries, red fruits and spice.

*93 points The Wine Enthusiast 

This is a wine to drink fresh over the next year or two…or wait un til it is at least 10 years old.  With age it gains complexity and a distinct honey nut character.  With proper storage, this is a wine you could put down for at least 20 years!

*90 Jeb Dunnuck

This is an elegant expression of Mourvèdre, but with the classic aromatics of herbs de Provence along with a meaty, gamey note.  The elegance of the 2021 vintage carries over into the flavors, with soft tannins and nice plummy fruit.

53 cases were bottled in May 2024 without any fining or filtration.

*91 Wine Enthusiast

*94 'Editor's Choice' Wine Enthusiast

This fresh, crisp, aromatic white is a classic “porch pounder” and is great with light appetizers, mild cheeses or grilled fish tacos.

This fresh, crisp, aromatic white is a classic “porch pounder” and is great with light appetizers, mild cheeses or grilled fish tacos.

This is a classic expression of cool climate Grenache, with red fruits and spices in the aromas and racy, fresh flavors.  The Syrah adds depth, and a nice hint of magenta to the color.  This was bottled without fining or filtration in February 2024.  I like to serve this wine with a slight chill at around 60°, especially in the Summer.- Bob Lindquist

*93 Antonio Galloni VINOUS - "The 2022 Grenache is a pretty bold and heady, yet the classicism that runs through all these wines is never far away. Crushed flowers, bright re-toned fruit, mint and cinnamon build nicely. Lower yields in this portion of the vineyard resulted in a wine of notable textural breadth."

*92 Wine Enthusiast

This wine is a beautiful expression of the Grenache grape grown in cool climate, with aromas violets, wild cherries and spice.  The Syrah and Mourvèdre are the perfect supporting cast, giving the wine depth, a bit of tannin and earthiness.  It is a “drink me now” wine!

*92 Antonio Galloni Vinous

*92 Wine Enthusiast

This is one of the more elegant versions of Bien Nacido Roussanne’s that I’ve made…it reminds me a lot of the 2007 wine, which at 17 years of age is still going strong!  Lovely aromas of honey, toasted almonds with hints of vanilla.  The flavors are fresh and crisp with a mouthwatering fruitiness.  Enjoy it over the next couple years, or better yet, put it away in the cellar for at least 10-15 years for maximum pleasure!

*90-92 (barrel sample)  Antonio Galloni Vinous

*92 Wine Enthusiast

*92-93 Antonio Galloni VINOUS - "The 2023 Chardonnay from Bien Nacido Vineyard, is bright and nicely chiseled. Lemon peel, crushed rocks, sliate, mint and white pepper lend notable brilliance throughout. This nervy, saline Chardonnay has a lot to recommend it. I especially admire its energy."

This fresh, crisp, aromatic white is a classic “porch pounder” and is great with light appetizers, mild cheeses or grilled fish tacos.

This wine is all about the character of ultra ripe Viognier, which dominates the aromas of the wine with ripe peaches, honeysuckle and lychee nuts.  The Chardonnay plays a critical supporting role in the wine, giving it freshness, acidity and balancing the alcohol.  The aromas carry over into the flavors.

*92-93 (Barrel Sample) Antonio Galloni Vinous