2017 The Hilt Old Guard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Similarly colored, the 2017 Pinot Noir Old Guard offers more Burgundian notes of ripe red and black fruits, scorched earth, ground herbs, and forest floor. It too is rich, pure, and polished, with beautiful concentration. It's another magical Pinot Noir from the talented Matt Dees that will benefit from short-term cellaring and keep for over a decade (although it's far from unapproachable today). The big news with these The Hilt releases is the addition of two new single vineyard Pinot Noirs, Radian and Bentrock. As usual, winemaker Matt Dees has turned out a brilliant lineup of wines in both 2017 and 2018.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The Hilt's 2017 Pinot Noir Old Guard is soaring and stratospheric in its beauty. Positively riveting in the glass, the 2017 is laced with gorgeous aromatics and captivating precision throughout. Dark red/purplish berry fruit, blood orange, wild flowers, mint and lavender all open up with air, but it is the wine's overall balance that is simply breathtaking. The 2017 is translucent, expressive and simply majestic. There is not much more that I can add. Vineyard sites are 80% Sanford & Benedict and 20% Radian.
The 2017 Pinot Noir Old Guard was made using 35% whole cluster and was aged 12 months in neutral oak. Pale to medium ruby-purple, it gives aromas of garrigue, dried herbs and meaty touches opening to blueberry, black plum, blackberries and spicy touches. Light to medium-bodied with herbal and earthy accents, it has firm, grainy tannins and good freshness, finishing lifted. 289 cases produced.
The 2017 Pinot Noir Old Guard bristles with tension and energy. Bright acids give the primary red and purplish berry fruit tremendous energy and lift, with saline notes that extend the finish effortlessly. Vivid and crystalline to its core, the 2016 is shaping up to be an absolute stunner. Wow!
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.