Winemaker Notes
This wine is a barrel selection (40% new French oak) of maritime-cooled vineyards, combining the forward fruit and richness of the Santa Maria Valley, with the earthiness and structure of fruit from the Sta. Rita Hills.
Professional Ratings
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Vinous
The 2020 Pinot Noir Highliner is fragrant, aromatic and super-expressive. The blend of sites from Sta. Rita Hills and Santa Maria works beautifully here. Crushed flowers, spice, leather, cedar and pipe tobacco lend considerable nuance throughout. This mid-weight Pinot is a charmer.
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Wine Enthusiast
Roasted tomato, soy and nori serve as the savory aromas on the nose of this bottling, while strawberry brings the fresher fruit tones. The palate pairs those bright red fruits with touches of tar and more soy, leading into a savory, almost salty finish.
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.