Sta. Rita Hills, Central Coast, California, USA
Deep Ruby color with aromas of red fruits, smoky cedar and baking spice, aged for 12 months in 15% new French oak. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with toasty notes and pepper spice. Full-bodied, fine dusty tannins, long finish ending with fruit toasty-smoky oak and a savory earthy character. Nice!
Deep Ruby color with aromas of red fruits, smoky cedar and baking spice, aged for 12 months in 15% new French oak. On the palate flavors of black cherry and blackberry with toasty notes and pepper spice. Full-bodied, fine dusty tannins, long finish ending with fruit toasty-smoky oak and a savory earthy character. Nice!
Apr 14th, 2023
Very enjoyable and in a good spot. I found this to be slightly stemmy and herbal, but plenty of gummy fruit to it. Small whole cluster usage? Spicy too...sweet rhubarb tart with blackberry spice. There is a fleshy profile to this showing soft red plum and mulberries. Acidity is holding strong. This is likely at peak...enjoy!
Very enjoyable and in a good spot. I found this to be slightly stemmy and herbal, but plenty of gummy fruit to it. Small whole cluster usage? Spicy too...sweet rhubarb tart with blackberry spice. There is a fleshy profile to this showing soft red plum and mulberries. Acidity is holding strong. This is likely at peak...enjoy!
Oct 10th, 20192009 vintage. Santa Barbara County. On opening a not very attractive smell, better with air. Round, ripe and fruity with little varietal character for me. Maybe I should try the Old Guard?
2009 vintage. Santa Barbara County. On opening a not very attractive smell, better with air. Round, ripe and fruity with little varietal character for me. Maybe I should try the Old Guard?
Sep 8th, 2017
Soft and elegant cooked cherry compote. Nice acidity clean and bright
Soft and elegant cooked cherry compote. Nice acidity clean and bright
1 person found it helpfulApr 24th, 2018
Initially a very enticing and inviting cherry cola, but evolves into a plethora of sweet herbs, spices, black cherry, and a saline-laced minerality. Finishes with a really sexy, silky mouthfeel that glides on with no hard edges.
Initially a very enticing and inviting cherry cola, but evolves into a plethora of sweet herbs, spices, black cherry, and a saline-laced minerality. Finishes with a really sexy, silky mouthfeel that glides on with no hard edges.
1 person found it helpfulJun 3rd, 2016On our recent CA trip, we tasted wine from The Hilt, their 2013 Vanguard Pinot Noir. Aged 40% new French oak and 60% neutral French oak, dark Ruby with aromas of black fruits with a touch of smoky spice notes. The palate is complex brings forth concentrated black cherry and slightly tart strawberry fruit, spice, with bold dusty tannins. The finish had earthy and smoky tones and lingered through the ending. Very Nice, small production, 1400 cases. Tasting Sample.
On our recent CA trip, we tasted wine from The Hilt, their 2013 Vanguard Pinot Noir. Aged 40% new French oak and 60% neutral French oak, dark Ruby with aromas of black fruits with a touch of smoky spice notes. The palate is complex brings forth concentrated black cherry and slightly tart strawberry fruit, spice, with bold dusty tannins. The finish had earthy and smoky tones and lingered through the ending. Very Nice, small production, 1400 cases. Tasting Sample.
Oct 14th, 2016
Much more masculine than I'd expect. Hard, tight notes of leather, wild berries (strawberry and raspberry), a bit sulfuric on the initial open, but stretches out nicely over a quarter hour. Tasty Pinot with some kick.
Much more masculine than I'd expect. Hard, tight notes of leather, wild berries (strawberry and raspberry), a bit sulfuric on the initial open, but stretches out nicely over a quarter hour. Tasty Pinot with some kick.
Aug 29th, 2016
Bright, brambly red fruit with awesome structure, slight smoky finish. #thehilt #santaritahills #california #2011 #pinotnoir
Bright, brambly red fruit with awesome structure, slight smoky finish. #thehilt #santaritahills #california #2011 #pinotnoir
Feb 26th, 2015
2015 vintage. Playful raspberry/rhubarb nose. Medium-medium heavy body. Big thrust in the frontal palate that fanned out mid-palate and pleasantly carried through to a long finish. This was firing. 6.28.24.
2015 vintage. Playful raspberry/rhubarb nose. Medium-medium heavy body. Big thrust in the frontal palate that fanned out mid-palate and pleasantly carried through to a long finish. This was firing. 6.28.24.
Jun 27th, 2024
