Winemaker Notes
The heat and sunshine of the 2022 vintage lent a ripe and radiantly fruity profile. Lots of macerated berries and cherry, some hard candy. There’s great balance though—moderate alcohol, and plenty of acidity for us to lean on a hearty portion of whole-clusters. Those play up the spiced tea flavors, plus a hint of savory herbs and floral carbonic lift. It’s deliciously juicy without compromising on earthy intrigue, and a fine bite of salty tannin closes out the easy-going palate.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
A lighter hue in the glass, this bottling pops on the nose with cran-pomegranate, rose petal, hibiscus and white-pepper aromas. There's a wild herb array to the palate, where rounded red apple, strawberry and thyme flavors converge.
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.