Winemaker Notes
Aromas of dried roses, candied cherries, juniper and cinnamon spice spiral out of the glass. With time the nose moves to darker notes of dried leaves, black pepper, black licorice, cacao and blackberry. An exotic, dense and powerful pinot noir, it showcases the remarkable concentration of ripe fruit that defines the 2010 vintage. Both sweet and savory, it maintains terrific tension between the dense, chewy fruit and the bright Santa Barbara acidity. A hint of toasty oak and the telltale smoky nuance of our old vines adds charm and complexity to the black cherry dominated finish.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2010 Pinot Noir Vanguard doesn't have the fleshiness or exuberance of the 2009. This is a more linear style of Pinot built on energy and minerality. It possesses good length, but a bit less body and ripeness. Subtle hints of earthiness and tobacco add complexity to a finish laced with considerable subtlety and understatement. This is a pretty wine, but it doesn't quite have the complete feel of the 2009. The 2010 is 67% Sanford & Benedict, 23% Bien Nacido and 10% La Encantada.
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.
DOB139758_2010 Item# 139758