Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Leading off the Pinot Noirs, the 2020 Los Alamos Vineyard Pinot Noir saw 15% stems and spent 15 months in just 15% new French oak. Its translucent ruby hue is followed by a solid perfume of spiced red fruits, flowers, peppery herbs, and flowers. Beautiful on the palate as well, it's medium-bodied, has a pure, seamless mouthfeel, flawless balance, and a great finish. This is a stunningly ethereal, elegant expression of Pinot Noir to drink over the coming decade.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2020 Pinot Noir Los Alamos Vineyard is delicately styled, made with 15% whole clusters and matured in 15% new oak. It has a very pale ruby color and aromas of struck flint, burnt orange peel and spicy blackberries with earthy undertones. The light-bodied palate is soft with rounded acidity and a satisfying core of sweet berries, finishing with lots of spicy accents. Best after 2022.
Pinot Noir is the second-most planted grape in Santa Barbara County, just behind Chardonnay. It thrives in cooler areas of the region, namely in the of the Sta. Rita Hills, which is part of Santa Barbara’s larger Santa Ynez Valley sub-appellation. Thought for decades to be too cool for viticulture, Sta. Rita Hills began to gain notoriety in the 1970’s, thanks to the pioneering work of Richard Sandford and Michael Benedict, among others.
Santa Barbara Pinot Noir dances across the palate with vivid red fruit and spice. Precision, bright acidity, elegance and fruit-driven silkiness make Santa Barbara Pinot delightfully enjoyable, whether on their own or with a variety of dishes.