2015 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict
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Tasting notes
The first thing that jumps out about the 2015 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is its intensity of color, which is best described as a translucent purple. Rich and pliant yet also wonderfully light on its feet, the Sanford & Benedict is head-turner. The flavors are intense, but also remarkably pure, especially for a wine of this size. A rush of violet, lavender and mint punctuates the exuberant finish. If you can find it, don't miss it.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard offers a pale to medium ruby-purple color and fragrant nose of roses, Bing cherries and pomegranate with touches of baking spices and potpourri. The elegantly crafted, light to medium-bodied palate offers a great intensity of red berry and earthy layers with a chewy frame and long, earthy finish.
A fresh, elegant, and beautifully focused red, the 2015 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict was completely destemmed and saw 18 months in 20% new French oak. It offers notes of black raspberries, framboise, spice-box and candied violets in a medium-bodied, elegant, silky style. It has terrific purity, integrated acidity and a great finish. Forget bottles for 4-5 years and enjoy over the following decade. The Lutum wines are made by Gavin Chanin and include wines from both the Sta. Rita Hills and the Sonoma Coast AVA. Like all of Gavin’s wines, these are elegant, classically style wines. The 2015 Chardonnays were a touch hit or miss, but his 2015 Pinot Noirs are terrific.