Winemaker Notes
The lifted and spiraling nose becomes evident as soon as one pops the cork. White truffle, soy, balsamic, white pepper and black plum. Resinous pine and wet soil. The smell of fresh mushrooms. It is driven by earth on the nose and initial attack, but quickly
moves above the ground with intense notes of black cherry dominating the core. Red fruit continues to emerge on palate with raspberry and red plum followed by the first notes of cocoa powder and dried leaves. It stays fresh with an almost minty coolness on the palate. The finish again focuses on earth with elegant chalky tannin. A young wine with nothing but greatness ahead. Liquid silk.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Possessing additional minerality, the 2012 Pinot Noir Old Guard is also firm and structured, with earthy dark fruits, underbrush, herbs and ample spice all emerging from the glass. Spending 11 months in 30% new French oak, with the balance all in neutral oak, it’s a medium to full-bodied, concentrated and perfectly balanced Pinot that needs another year or two in bottle, but will have 10-15 years of overall longevity.
Rating: 94+
Wines defined by place, style and time. In the southwest corner of Sta. Rita Hills AVA lies a rugged, windswept, coastal vineyard, called The Hilt Estate; estate grower producer of stunning Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reflective of this dynamic corner of California.
Pushing the limits; in the farthest southwest reach of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA is home to Radian & Bentrock Vineyards, these vineyards dictate The Hilt style.
The numerous microclimates and unique soils provide a multilayered backdrop to create 3 unique expressions: Estate, The Guards, and Single Vineyards.
In 2014, Matt Dees, Ruben Solorzano & team took on operation and farming of Radian and Bentrock Vineyards and shifted to precise sustainable & organic farming to transform and revitalize the soil.
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.