We’re going back to back.
Two Pinot Noirs from two estate Grand Cru-level vineyard sites in the Sta. Rita Hills in two days.
Today’s Pinot is a stone’s throw down the hill from yesterday’s offer and it commands a bit more in the retail price department - again, we had to remove the vineyard name to be able to get it to this list at an unbelievable price. The original winery’s price retails solidly in the triple digits. Not today. How about another $30/bottle?
Previous vintages from this site have garnered 93-97 points from Antonio Galloni, James Suckling and Jeb Dunnuck.
This vineyard is more Burgundian in that it rolls over gentle hills. In these lower elevations, the brutal wind slackens to a breeze, the cold loses its bite, and there’s a bit more sun. The ripening season is still long, creating ultra-concentrated fruit. The soil is shale, clay, and sedimentary (with an occasional silica rich deposit of diatomaceous earth).
Lot 412 is a 100% Pinot Noir from a mix of Dijon and Calera clones. Lot 412 was crafted in 100% French Oak barrels, 30% new. And the source is decorated to say the least as evinced in yesterday and today's callouts on their score histories.
Pomegranate and black cherries define the nose accompanied by hibiscus, dried herbs, and potting soils accented with clove and blood orange. The entry is all terroir with mushrooms, fresh turned soils and leaves over tobacco and faint flecks of raspberries leading to medium, well balanced acidity and small, velvety tannins. The finish is long with influences of refined French oak; vanilla and spice elegantly uplift over red fruit umami that trades waves with further hibiscus and mushroom.
There won’t a be a third Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir from their third single-vineyard site here anytime soon. Go two for two; get this one now.
100% Pinot Noir, mix of Dijon and Calera clones
100% French Oak barrels, 30% new
Shale, clay, and sedimentary soils
14.1% alc.
