2021 The Hilt Pinot Noir Radian
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Tasting notes
As tends to be the case, the 2021 Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard significantly ratchets up the coiled, mineral tension endemic to this western Sta. Rita Hills site, and the team at The Hilt have captured it here beautifully. The nose is layered, dark and brooding, with an ethereal lift in the background continuously providing levity. It is rich and decadent on the palate yet searingly with acidity and mineral tension, finishing with a striking balance between flashy richness and transparent intensity. While lovers of sturdy, structured Pinot Noirs might want to check in on this now, it will surely blossom considerably in the cellar.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck
More reviews and scores
A bright, nervy wine, the 2021 Pinot Noir Radian captures all the natural intensity of this site on the far edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. Bright acids and veins of minerality infuse the 2021 with tremendous character. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, crushed rocks, graphite and dried herbs are some of the many notes that race across the palate. This just sizzles with energy. It's a great example from the western edge of the appellation.
I loved the 2021 Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard, which has a vivid, perfumed, exotic bouquet of black raspberries, spring flowers, violets, graphite, and chalky minerality. I love its purity, and it's medium-bodied, with an incredible sense of refinement and class and a great finish. Coming from a rocky hillside vineyard on the southern side of the Sta. Rita Hills, this incredible Pinot Noir will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise in cold cellars over the following decade or more.
A bright, nervy wine, the 2021 Pinot Noir Radian captures all the natural intensity of this site on the far edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. Bright acids and veins of minerality infuse the 2021 with tremendous character. Dark red/purplish fruit, lavender, crushed rocks, graphite and dried herbs are some of the many notes that race across the palate. This just sizzles with energy. It's a great example from the western edge of the appellation.
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.