2014 The Hilt Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

The 2014 Pinot Noir is gorgeous. Bright and intensely saline, the 2014 presents striking translucency and purity in its red fruit flavors. Sensual and layered, with striking freshness, the 2014 hits all the right notes. This is a stunningly beautiful, 'entry-level' Pinot from The Hilt. Vineyard sources are Sanford & Benedict, Radian, Bentrock and Bien Nacido.

A new wine that's made with the goal to give consumers something to drink while they wait on their Vanguard and Old Guard Pinot Noirs to mature, the 2014 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is another terrific red from this estate. It's also the first time they've used fruit from their recently purchased Radien and Bentrock vineyards located on the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. Giving up classic rose petals, spring flowers, currants, wood smoke and black raspberry notes, this beauty is rich, nicely textured and supple, with the classic, chiseled feel of the estate. While the goal here is early drinking, it still will benefit from a year or two of bottle age and drink nicely for 7-8 years.