2019 Sanford & Benedict "1971" Pinot Noir

Appellation

Sta. Rita Hills

Varietal

Pinot Noir

Wine Enthusiast

Jeb Dunnuck

Vinous

Vineyard Sources

100% Sanford & Benedict Vineyard (Block T-14) located in the Sta. Rita Hills appellation

Barrel Aging

Aged 17 months in 100% French oak, of which 25% is new

Cooperage

Mercurey

Technical Data

Composition

100% Pinot Noir

Alcohol %

14.1

Acidity

0.600 g/100mL

3.47

Harvest Brix

24.5

Harvest Date

9/16/19

Production

98 cases

Description

Our single vineyard and small lot releases enable us to deliver some of our finest expressions of Pinot Noir by concentrating on specific vineyards, clonal selections or techniques. In vintage 2015 we began to work with Pinot Noir from one of the most historically significant vineyard in all of California, the iconic Sanford & Benedict.

Our "1971" bottling is made from grapes sourced exclusively from the original block of Pinot Noir planted in that year. These old vines have small yields that deliver exquisite flavor and complexity, graceful texture, and balance. It is an honor to have access to these grapes; we hope you love this wine as much as we do.

Wine Critic Reviews

"Hailing from the iconic vineyard’s oldest vines, this excellent bottling begins with lightly poached currant and cranberry aromas, enhanced by peppery herbs and subtle oak spice. The tense, restrained and complex palate balances an elegant, fresh raspberry-paste flavor against tarragon and thyme." ~ Wine Enthusiast "The 2019 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 1971, from one of the original blocks on the property, is dense, powerful and impressively structured. This rich, ample Pinot has a ton to offer." ~ Antonio Galloni's Vinous "...comes from older vines and was 70% destemmed and spent 17 months in 25% new French oak. It too is tight and coiled, with a fresh, focused, incredibly pure style as well as bright red and black berry fruits, notes of spice, violets, and sappy herbs, fine tannins, and outstanding length. This is such a great site, and this 2019 should come together nicely with a year or three in bottle and see its tenth birthday in fine form." ~ Jeb Dunnuck