The 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard is dark, potent and impressively structured. Dried herbs, iron, smoke, kirsch and earthy notes give the 2019 its strong, assertive personality. There is plenty of tannic grip, so a few years in bottle will be helpful. Wilder undertones are nicely balanced by the wine's sheer depth. This is the last vintage from the famed Q block, which has now been ripped out as part of an extensive replant.

More shrimp broth, chalky minerality, gunpowder, and both red and black fruits emerge from the 2019 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido, a classy, surprisingly elegant Bien Nacido with silky tannins, medium-bodied richness, and outstanding length. It's a classic representation of the savory, earthy style of this site aromatically, but the tannins and texture are as seamless as they come, and it shows more fruit and texture than you expect. It's another beautiful, elegant, compelling wine from this estate that will evolve for a decade.