2021 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
2021 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
The 2021 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir is a blend of roughly equal parts of the Sanford & Benedict and Bentrock Vineyards. These two vineyards are uniquely located on the cool western edges of this appellation. Sanford & Benedict Vineyards enjoys a touch more afternoon warmth in clay and alluvium based soils, while the Bentrock Vineyard sits in harder clay based soils and oceanic rock. 20% whole cluster fermentation was used to elevate the aromatics with about 40% new French oak gives this wine power, depth, and longevity.
“The 2021 Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills) is terrific. Rich and effusive in the glass, the 2021 packs a punch. Then again, vineyard sites are Sanford & Benedict and Bentrock Vineyard. Bright and punchy with black cherry, plum and lavender, This juicy, voluptuous Pinot hits all the right notes .” Vinous 93 Points
-- Antonio Galloni
2021 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Varietal Selection: 100% Pinot Noir, 60% from Sanford & Benedict and 40% from Bentrock Vineyard,
Growing Season: 2021 was a classic vintage. Warm fall conditions with cool nights resulted in exceptional acidity and near perfect phenolic ripeness.
Brix at Harvest: 23-24 Brix
Chemistry: Finished total acidity 0.59 with a pH of 3.62, Alc. 14.1%
Fermentation / Élevage: 40% new French oak. 17 months in barrel, 20% whole cluster fermentation, and bottled unfined, unfiltered. 85% Free run, 15% press.