Pale to medium ruby colored with a hint of purple, the 2014 Pinot Noir Bench Break has intense red currant and red cherry notes with hints of violets, Chinese five spice and dried herbs. Medium-bodied, fine and fresh in the mouth, it has a lot of varietal expression and sense of place for this price point without sacrificing flavor, which is a dorky way of saying, it rocks! 35,000 cases were made.

Light black raspberry and purple-flower aromas show on the somewhat shy nose of this bottling from the Jackson Family's longtime Santa Maria Valley winery. Well-woven flavors of black raspberry, dark cranberry, thyme and bay leaf appear on the sip, which is light and easy albeit not very complex.