Winemaker Notes
The 2013 vintage from Premier Vineyard in Los Alamos shows off both the elegant, feminine side of Pinot Noir, along with the ripe structure with good acidity from the steep hillside vineyard. Beautifully balanced, it was fermented 100% whole cluster. A blend of Swiss clone 2A and Dijon 115.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
Dried cherry, fig and intriguing star anise spice show on the nose of this wine, which is starting to show its age a bit via complex secondary elements. Dried mulberry, crushed peppercorn and balsamic fig flavors show on the sip.
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.
LID10005181_2013 Item# 530206