Winemaker Notes
Aromas of expressive strawberry, raspberry, and cherry intertwine with violet and a hint of eucalyptus, with subtle notes of vanilla and baking spice. Flavors of Bing cherry, wild raspberry, and boysenberry shine with bright acidity, seamlessly layered with cinnamon and allspice. Earthy undertones of leather and bramble add depth, leading to a structured, lingering finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2023 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is blended from several vineyards, including Rita’s Crown, Sanford & Benedict, La Encantada, Radian and Peake Ranch. Matured for 16 months in 40% new French oak, the nose is bursting with pure wafts of raspberry, cranberry, red licorice, saline and alluring herbal undertones. The full-bodied palate matches concentrated flavors with well-integrated new oak spice. It’s framed by silky tannins and vibrant acidity and has a long, layered finish.
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Wine Spectator
A ripe, forward style, with a creamy edge to its mix of cherry and strawberry paste flavors. Light tea and sandalwood notes infuse the finish. Drink now through 2027. 2,000 cases made.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
A superior source of California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills is the coolest, westernmost sub-region of the larger Santa Ynez Valley appellation within Santa Barbara County. This relatively new AVA is unquestionably one to keep an eye on.
The climate of Sta. Rita Hills is a natural match for Chardonnay and Pinot noir, thanks to the crisp ocean breezes and well-drained, limestone-rich calcareous soil. Here, grapes ripen just enough, while retaining brisk acidity and harmonious balance.