2014 The Hilt Pinot Noir Vanguard
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Tasting notes
More plush, with gorgeous black raspberry, toasted spice, dried flowers and a touch of licorice, the 2014 Pinot Noir Vanguard hits the palate with gorgeous fruit, a rounded, supple texture and present, yet ripe tannin. It's much more approachable than the Old Guard, but I suspect it will evolve just as nicely.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2014 Pinot Noir Vanguard is deep and implosive, naturally within the Hilt's generally restrained style. Plum, sweet cherry, spice and menthol are all fused together in a pliant, textured Pinot loaded with textural nuance. Even with its forward fruit, the 2014 has quite a bit of underlying structure and tannin. This is one of the unqualified successes of the year in the Sta. Rita Hills. In 2014, the Vanguard is 100% Mt. Eden clone Pinot from Sanford & Benedict, done with fully destemmed fruit and aged in 45% new French oak.
In 2014, the Pinot Noir Vanguard is made from 100% old-vine Sanford & Benedict fruit, which may be one of the reasons the wine comes across as quite deep and powerful but also a touch heavy. The flavors and texture are dark, spiced and imposing throughout. It will be interesting to see if the 2014 acquires a bit more finesse over the next year. The 2014 was made from fully destemmed fruit and aged in French oak barrels, 45% new.
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.