For the sophisticated American wine lover who enjoys both rich and sultry flavors in their bottle of Pinot Noir.
Savory, dark and perfumed pinot noir. Lifted notes of rose petals, black cherry, dried tobacco, blood orange, sage, pomegranate and cracked white pepper. Bright and savory red fruit with salinity, fresh herbs and focus. Lightness and charm on the palate with darker overtones of earth and dust. Gentle tannins with a vinous touch from minimal stem inclusion combine to make a finish that lingers. Ultimately a wine defined by elegance and precision.
Critical Acclaim:
Vinous 95 pt
The 2017 Estate Pinot Noir is super-impressive, especially as the estate's entry-level Pinot. A rush of sweet red and purplish berry fruit, lavender, blood orange, exotic spice and licorice all race out of the glass in an expansive, beautifully resonant Pinot that dazzles from start to finish. Quite simply, the 2017 offers unreal quality at this level and price. Vineyard sources are 45% Radian, 30% Bentrock and 25% Sanford & Benedict. Don't miss it!
JD 95 pt
Leading off the Pinot Noirs, the 2017 Pinot Noir Estate reveals a deeper ruby/purple-tinged color as well as a ripe, sexy bouquet of black raspberries, cassis, scorched earth, violets, and background oak. Rounded, medium to full-bodied, textured, and just loaded with dark fruit on the palate, it's beautifully balanced and will drink fabulously well for at least 7-8 years.
Decanter 93
Bentrock Vineyard lies in the southwestern corner of the Sta. Rita Hills, and produces racy, lively wines that can be almost austere in their youth. The Hilt’s 2017 vintage of this estate site takes this edgy nature and combines it with a velvety richness. The nose is at once breezy and metallic, with aromas of clay dust, gunmetal and chalk. The palate is fine and granular, showing flavours of salted cranberry, grapefruit pith and cloves.
Robert Parker 91
The 2017 Estate Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills, aged for 12 months in 15% new French oak and with 5% stem inclusion, is pale to medium ruby-purple with tricolored fruits: blackberries, red berries and sliced blueberries with loamy earth, dust, peppered meat and dried florals. It's medium-bodied with a restrained fruit core and earthy accents, grainy tannins and juicy acidity, finishing long.
About. The Pinot Noir is sourced from the most unique terroir of the Sta Rita Hills, the North-facing slope of the Santa Rosa road corridor. This hallowed ground, from west to east, includes some of the most important vineyards of the appellation: Radian, Bentrock, Rancho la Vina, Encantada, Rinconada, and Sanford and Benedict. The vines age ranges between 8 and 44 years old and grows predominately on Diatomatious earth and loamy sand. Once harvested, the wine is cold-soaked for an average of 3 days and fermented 15% whole-cluster. It then ages for 10 months in 228L French Oak barrels, approximately 30% new, 70% neutral.
