The Santa Rita Hills is a small appellation at the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley that has gained international recognition for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Valley runs west to east, opening a gap in the coastal range allowing the late afternoon ocean fog to roll in where it lingers until early morning. The surrounding hills trap the fog before it is dissipated in the wider Santa Ynez Valley. The fog cools the vines from the day’s summer heat and it is thiscombination of warm days and cool nights that gives the wine its complexity as well as providing acidity to give it structure along with great aromatics and fruit.
The 2016 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is medium ruby-purple with appealing, layered aromas of red licorice, crushed red cherries and cranberries, raspberry preserves, fragrant earth, dried violets and Earl Grey tea leaves. Medium-bodied, it offers great flavor intensity with a grainy frame and very juicy freshness, finishing long with sweet red fruits. 2,734 cases produced.
retail $27
pow price $14
