2019 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir
2019 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir
A classic Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir from our region's most iconic vineyard.
Description
In typical Sanford & Benedict fashion, this Pinot Noir displays both intensity and sophistication, featuring a deep garnet hue and bright, expressive aromatics. The nose offers rich aromas of pomegranates and cherries with a whisper of dark chocolate. Red cherries and vanilla unfold on the palate along with a lusciously balanced mouthfeel. The bright acidity and velvety tannins are beautifully intertwined to create an exceptionally balanced wine that will cellar gracefully for years to come.
Vineyard Notes
This vineyard is the cradle of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation and played a significant role in bringing recognition to the great potential of the region. Planted by Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict in 1971, wines produced from this vineyard continue to set the highest quality standards. This Pinot Noir hails from vines planted in 2008 to the highly regarded clone 943. The soil type is the Botella Series, a composition of both clay and loam with a high calcareous content, which drains well and helps keep yields low.
Production Notes
The 2019 vintage enjoyed a long, cool growing season, which resulted in bright aromatics, complex flavors and well-balanced natural acidity in the grapes. A mild spring led to late budbreak and bloom, and temperatures remained below average for most of the growing season. Warm late summer weather coaxed the fruit to ripeness, and we picked most of our Sta. Rita Hills grapes in a busy 13-day window from September 12-25. Overall, grapes were ideally ripened with pure fruit expression and rich concentration. Pinot Noir from Sanford & Benedict Vineyard was harvested on September 14th.
Winemaker Notes
Pinot Noir clusters for this wine were hand sorted before being de-stemmed and gravity fed to small open top fermenters. The must was immediately chilled for a pre-fermentation cold soak. During fermentation, concentration was enhanced by gently punching down the cap several times per day. The wine aged 15 months in French oak barrels with 40% new oak, and was racked one time. This Pinot Noir was bottled unfined and unfiltered on March 10th, 2021.
| Vintage |
2019 |
| Wine Style |
Red Wine |
| Varietal |
100% Pinot Noir |
| Appellation |
Sta. Rita Hills |
| Acid |
5.9 g/l |
| PH |
3.56 |
| Alcohol % |
14.7 |
| Size |
750 ml |
