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SKU 854861
$29.94/bottle
Out of stock
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Spiced cherries, strawberries, sappy flowers, and hints of gamey, foresty notes all emerge from the 2018 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills, and it’s medium-bodied, elegant, and seamless on the palate. This stunning value should be snatched up by readers.
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.
JD95pts
Jeb Dunnuck
Spiced cherries, strawberries, sappy flowers, and hints of gamey, foresty notes all emerge from the 2018 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills, and it's medium-bodied, elegant, and seamless on the palate. This stunning value should be snatched up by readers.
WE94pts
Wine Enthusiast
This appellation blend offers a more affordable way to experience the delicious and dynamic style of winemaker Greg Brewer. Intense aromas of black cherry, flower petals and cola are unabashedly fruit-forward, yet there's spicy tension as well. Rich cherry and pomegranate flavors lead the palate, yet the underlying eucalyptus, black tea, root beer and wild thyme elements set it apart. (Editors' Choice)
WS92pts
Wine Spectator
Juicy, with rich minerality to the vibrant red plum and wild cherry flavors, supported by suave acidity and silky tannins. Broad-textured and spicy on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 1,960 cases made.
WA91pts
Wine Advocate
Pale to medium ruby, the 2018 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is scented of blackberries and smoked cranberries with touches of citrus peel, tea leaves and spices. The palate is light to medium-bodied with an equally earthy, fruity character, a silky texture and bright, uplifted finish. 1,950 cases produced.
VM91pts
Vinous Media
The 2018 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is a very pretty, translucent wine. Sweet red cherry, wild flowers, mint, cinnamon and blood orange are all nicelty lifed, but what stands out most about the appellation wine is its superb balance and class. The 2018 is fabulous.
