The Hilt

Estate Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

9.061 ratings
8.99 pro ratings
Sta. Rita Hills, Central Coast, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Aaron Tan

While the ladies enjoyed this, it was just not for me. No faults really, but it was way too ripe. The bouquet smacks you in the face with ripe strawberries, cherries, plums, and marmalade. Whiffs of herbs did add interest. Fleshy palate with bright acidity, but it wasn't enough to offset the overwhelming fruit sweetness - honestly, it tasted almost like cherry cola. One glass, and I was done.

While the ladies enjoyed this, it was just not for me. No faults really, but it was way too ripe. The bouquet smacks you in the face with ripe strawberries, cherries, plums, and marmalade. Whiffs of herbs did add interest. Fleshy palate with bright acidity, but it wasn't enough to offset the overwhelming fruit sweetness - honestly, it tasted almost like cherry cola. One glass, and I was done.

Feb 27th, 2022
Al Shikoh

Lovely dark berries, leather, and violets on the nose. Soft and generous on the palate with somewhat sappy dark fruit and 13.5% alcohol. Sourced from multiple Santa Rita Hills vineyards including Sanford & Benedict, Radian, Bentrock, and Bien Nacido, the fruit is completely destemned and aged in 30% new French oak.

Lovely dark berries, leather, and violets on the nose. Soft and generous on the palate with somewhat sappy dark fruit and 13.5% alcohol. Sourced from multiple Santa Rita Hills vineyards including Sanford & Benedict, Radian, Bentrock, and Bien Nacido, the fruit is completely destemned and aged in 30% new French oak.

Aug 10th, 2018
Ron Brumley

Love it. Screaming Eagle. Perfect balance, med smoke, med oak. Bramble. True to Pinot Black

Love it. Screaming Eagle. Perfect balance, med smoke, med oak. Bramble. True to Pinot Black

Sep 23rd, 2017
Michael Gallegos

Sales & Hospitality Red Car Winery

8.0

Blegh. Way better examples of sta. rita hills pinot

Blegh. Way better examples of sta. rita hills pinot

Oct 14th, 2016
Matthew W.

Bright red fruits, toasted cedar wood, rounded baking spice.

Bright red fruits, toasted cedar wood, rounded baking spice.

Mar 2nd, 2024
Makoto Someya

Oak and sweet cherry aroma making me fascinated. Good taste with vanilla. Elegant! 2019 @1500, mar, 230927

Oak and sweet cherry aroma making me fascinated. Good taste with vanilla. Elegant! 2019 @1500, mar, 230927

Sep 27th, 2023
Carter White

Rich fruit, impressive concentration, but a bit sour.

Rich fruit, impressive concentration, but a bit sour.

Dec 14th, 2022
Kamall

Lots of fruit, I’d probably prefer the single vineyard wines.

Lots of fruit, I’d probably prefer the single vineyard wines.

Jul 25th, 2022
Nathan Renfro

Jammy fruit with scent enough structure. Fair but nothing great.

Jammy fruit with scent enough structure. Fair but nothing great.

Feb 11th, 2022
Kamall

Dark fruit for a Pinot. Light hand avoids the heaviness that comes with some of the deeper SB Pinots. What a great entry level wine.

Dark fruit for a Pinot. Light hand avoids the heaviness that comes with some of the deeper SB Pinots. What a great entry level wine.

Nov 17th, 2021