Winemaker Notes
Red fruit aromas of cherry, plum skin and red berry fruit mix with hints of red tea, cinnamon stick and tobacco. Pretty floral notes of cherry blossom and red rose mingle with earthy notes of underbrush, fern and sage. The palate has a plush and vibrant texture expanding this complexity leaving the mouth satiated and complete.
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Ripeness marks this Pinot. It floods the mouth with jammy raspberries and cherries, brightened with acidity. Seems a bit straightforward by virtue of sheer dazzle, but it is a superb example of the Santa Rita Hills, at a good price.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Pinot Noir Estate Verna-s floats on the palate with sweet dried cherries, herbs, mint and fennel, all of which come together in a refined, medium-bodied style that is highly appealing. In 2010, the Verna is all about finesse. A sweet, perfumed finish rounds things out nicely. This is a very pretty showing. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.
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.
LSB118383_2010 Item# 118383