Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County is composed predominantly of Drum Canyon fruit, with smaller portions of Kick-on Ranch and Sanford & Benedict. The aromas are bright, pure and savory, seamlessly transitioning to a velvety yet spry palate that finishes with subtly chalky tannins. In keeping with the Tatomer style, there is a precision and clarity on display here that is enthralling and impressive.
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.