Winemaker Notes
This wine manifests all of the aromas of classic Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir. The nose is full of spiced tea, flowers, and that distinct oceanic saltiness the region provides. It's pliant and silky on the palate, with swelling sweet red notes of berries and cherry that make a slow taper into resinous spice, smoky cedar and salinity. It's a more cerebral effect than they usually aim for this wine, but it's definitely no less delicious.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
The appellation 2019 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County is a gem, offering a medium-bodied, mineral, marine-like style that seams to have lots of Bien Nacido-like character. More stems, peppery herbs, and red and black fruits define this savory Pinot Noir, which has terrific complexity and outstanding length. It should keep for 7-8 years with no issues.
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.