Name: The Hilt Pinot Noir The Vanguard 2016 750ml
Brand: The Hilt
SKU: 1037806
Price: 170.5 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 93.7 (3 reviews)

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Winery

The Hilt

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Varietal

Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.

Country

United States

Of all the New World wine countries, perhaps the one which has demonstrated the most flair for producing high quality wines - using a combination of traditional and forward-thinking contemporary methods - has been the United States of America. For the past couple of centuries, the United States has set about transforming much of its suitable land into vast vineyards, capable of supporting a wide variety of world-class grape varietals which thrive on both the Atlantic and the Pacific coastlines. Of course, we immediately think of sun-drenched California in regards to American wines, with its enormous vineyards responsible for the New World's finest examples of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot based wines, but many other states have taken to viticulture in a big way, with impressive results. Oregon, Washington State and New York have all developed sophisticated and technologically advanced wine cultures of their own, and the output of U.S wineries is increasing each year as more and more people are converted to their produce.

Region

California

California as a wine producing region has grown in size and importance considerably over the past couple of centuries, and today is the proud producer of more than ninety percent of the United States' wines. Indeed, if California was a country, it would be the fourth largest producer of wine in the world, with a vast range of vineyards covering almost half a million acres. The secret to California's success as a wine region has a lot to do with the high quality of its soils, and the fact that it has an extensive Pacific coastline which perfectly tempers the blazing sunshine it experiences all year round. The winds coming off the ocean cool the vines, and the natural valleys and mountainsides which make up most of the state's wine regions make for ideal areas in which to cultivate a variety of high quality grapes.

Appellation

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is home to many of California's most sought after wines, with a powerful reputation for superbly crafted, old world style big, flavorful and complex red wines. The white wine industry in the region is growing, too, with many wineries within Santa Barbara successfully experimenting with several classic white wine grape varietals. As in much of California, Santa Barbara benefits from the blazing west coast sunshine, coupled with cooling Pacific Ocean breezes and fogs, which help to temper the grapes and slow the ripening process, thus ensuring more flavor and aroma in the resulting wines. Although Santa Barbara is a relatively young wine region, it is home to many wineries who are extremely dedicated when it comes to demonstrating just how good their terroir is, and how characterful their region's wines can be.

VM 95pts

Vinous Media

As is the case with the Old Guard, the 2016 Pinot Noir Vanguard is relatively buttoned up and less exuberant than it can be. And that is just fine. A powerful, resonant wine, the 2016 exudes intensity and structure, all in a compelling package that has so much to offer. Readers will have to give the 2016 at least a few years to come into its own, but it is positively stellar. The rich, resonant finish makes the 2016 nearly impossible to resist, even at this early stage.

JD 94pts

Jeb Dunnuck

Similarly colored, the 2016 Pinot Noir Vanguard is destemmed and sees plenty of new barrels. Currants, blackberries, crushed rocks, and spice notes as well as some floral and violet notes all flow to a richly textured, beautifully balanced Pinot Noir that has sweet tannins, lots of density and structure, and a great finish. It has more elegance and layers than the estate cuvée but is certainly in the same ballpark. Give bottles 2-3 years in the cellar.

WA 92pts

Wine Advocate

The 2016 Pinot Noir Vanguard reveals notes of damson, plum, raspberries, currant leaf and rose petal, followed by a medium-bodied palate structured around fine-grained tannins, showing a bit more texture and mid-palate weight than the Sta. Rita Hills bottling, but to my taste less energy and complexity. Its acids are tangy and linger on the youthfully primary finish. The Vanguard hails from warmer sites that are sheltered from the wind. 580 cases were produced.

Winery Notes

So much wild black fruit. Plum and blackberry. High toned and pure. Tons of flesh, but also so muscular. Smokey and resinous with air. Hints of black licorice, mint, dried sage and even dried chorizo. Texturally fascinating wine. A statuesque wine full of fruit density, chalky tannins and vibrancy. A wine with high shoulders and great posture. Serious pinot noir that is just getting started. Just spreading its wings. Density, fruit purity and long lasting tannic structure.

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The Hilt Pinot Noir The Vanguard 2016 750ml

Case of 12

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