2014 The Hilt Old Guard Pinot Noir
Buying options
Tasting notes
Ripe, yet fresh and pure, with notes of candied black cherries, cassis, smoked herbs and spring flowers, the 2014 Pinot Noir Old Guard is firm and structured on the palate, with high, yet integrated acidity, ripe tannin and a great finish. Give bottles 2-3 years of cellaring and enjoy through 2025.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Another compelling wine, the 2014 Pinot Noir Old Guard is weightless and gracious on the palate, with more aromatic lift and silkiness than the Vanguard. From a flavor perspective, the two wines aren't that different because Sanford & Benedict is at the heart of both. Instead, in 2014 the differences are mostly textural, with perhaps just a touch more finesse here. The 2014 is all Sanford & Benedict fruit, 82% Mt. Eden clone and 18% Gamay clone, done with 35% whole clusters and aged mostly in neutral oak.
The 2014 Pinot Noir Old Guard opens with an extraordinary bouquet. Rose petal, lavender, mint and cinnamon all lift from the glass effortlessly. Layered and utterly exquisite throughout, the Old Guard appears to have a very bright future. The 2014 is all Sanford & Benedict fruit, 82% Mt. Eden Clone and 18% Gamay clone, done with 30% whole clusters with only 10% new oak.
About the producer
The Hilt is the Santa Rita Hills project owned by sports and property mogul billionaire Stan Kroenke, who also owns Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley and the Jonata estate in the California’s Ballard Canyon AVA.