Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
One of the standouts, the 2018 Pinot Noir Puerta Del Mar Vineyard comes from a cool, westerly site and there are a tiny 273 cases produced. Gorgeous raspberry and strawberry fruits as well as loads of floral nuances define the bouquet and it's an incredibly perfumed, complex, yet pretty and nuanced Pinot Noir. With medium-bodied richness, flawless tannins, and an elegant texture, it's certainly not a blockbuster but just perfectly put together. It's going to benefit from a year or two of bottle age and cruise for a decade in cold cellars.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2018 Pinot Noir Puerta del Mar has a pale to medium ruby color and delicate red and black berry fruits with notes of laurel, peppercorn and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with a firm, ripe frame, seamless freshness and loads of bitters-laced fruits in the mouth, finishing long and peppery.
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.