Te Mama · Bien Nacido · 2021
2021 Te Mama Syrah, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley
A place on the list
Matt Sands again — the same hand as the Fort Ross Pinot — on Bien Nacido Syrah. 10% whole cluster, 19 months in 25% new Damy. Anne Sewell Briggs DipWSET 95. $40 a bottle, $30 at three cases.
Winery SRP $40 per bottle
One-case minimum unless a bulk break is shown at checkout. Partner price is the JS Selections offer, not a required resale price.
Why this bottle belongs on the list
Two selling points.
Then the market.
Bien Nacido still means something on a list.
The 2021 growing season in Santa Barbara County was mild and steady: minimal rain, no extreme heat, smaller clusters, lower yields, outstanding flavor and vibrant acidity. Picked October 20.
95 points. Open-top. 19 months Damy.
10% whole cluster, wild yeast in an open-top tank, 19 months in 25% new French Damy. 14.1% alcohol, pH 3.5. Anne Sewell Briggs DipWSET's 95 is the published score on the JS offer.
Professional scores
What the press wrote on this vintage.
Named critic scores on this vintage. These are press ratings, not the Wine-Searcher aggregate.
The buyer's perspective
What the guest
hears first.
Staff line: Matt Sands, Bien Nacido Syrah, 95 points. Rack of lamb. $40 the bottle, $30 at three cases.
Winemaker's corner
Coastal Pinot and Bien Nacido Syrah
Matt
Sands
Same hand as the Fort Ross-Seaview Pinot, a warmer, darker register. Sands's path through Eagle and Bryant shows up here as restraint: 10% whole cluster, measured new oak, open-top ferment.
Te Mama is a small book. The Syrah is the meat wine. The Pinot is the coast wine. Both are restaurant three-case paths at the same $40 / $30 ladder.
19 months in 25% new Damy is the wood. The rest is Bien Nacido and a mild 2021.
Bien Nacido
Santa Maria Valley.
Open-top.
19 months Damy.
Bien Nacido is one of the Central Coast names that still means something on a list. 2021: mild, steady, smaller clusters, lower yields, vibrant acidity.
Wild yeast, 10% whole cluster, open-top tank, 19 months with a measured 25% new Damy. 14.1% alcohol, pH 3.5. Picked October 20.
Anne Sewell Briggs DipWSET 95 is the published score. Rack of lamb is the plate.
2021 in the glass
Darker fruit.
Stem spice.
Measured oak.
A warmer register than the Fort Ross Pinot: dark fruit, savory herbs, 10% whole-cluster spice, 19 months of measured Damy. 14.1%. Built for lamb, not a cocktail Syrah. The 95-point note is on the JS offer; the sheet itself is method-first.
Menu and service
Built for a serious table.
- Herb rack of lamb
- Duck
- Cracked-pepper steak
Serve in a proper stem. Taste on opening and give the wine air if the structure asks for it.
Staff pairing clip
Rack Of Lamb LIKE A CHEF
The tableside introduction
“Te Mama Bien Nacido Syrah, Matt Sands, 95 points. 10% whole cluster, 19 months Damy. $40 the bottle. Pour it with lamb.”
Ready for your team
Put the story to work.
Full trade sheet
Clone, pick date, whole cluster, oak, alcohol, and pH.
View / printOrder the case
Bien Nacido Syrah, 95 points.
$40 a bottle, $30 at three cases. 95 points. Open-top, 19 months Damy.
One-case minimum unless a bulk break is shown at checkout. Partner price is the JS Selections offer, not a required resale price.
