94pts Wine Enthusiast

Very rich aromas of black cherry compote and French toast spices are very comforting and inviting on the nose of this bottling. Firm tannins wrap around the black cherry, cola and toasted herb flavors of the creamy palate.

93pts Jeb Dunnuck

Clearly outstanding, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is a ripe, polished, medium-bodied Pinot Noir with beautiful purity in its red and blackberry fruits, spice, and savory, flower-like aromatics. It has a kiss of classic Sta. Rita's marine-like salinity, notable purity, and a terrific sense of finesse. Brought up 10 months in 35% new French oak, it will easily keep through 2033.

Tasting Notes

The 2023 vintage bursts with vibrant aromas of sweet cherry and darker raspberry fruit while subtle herbal and loamy notes speak to its terroir. Silky, fine-grained tannins support lovely flavors of plum, mineral and spicy nuances all wrapped in a richly textured finish.

Winery Notes

'There are countless variables in the crafting of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but three requirements remain steadfast to ensure excellence: Top fruit from the Pacific Coast’s most distinctive vineyard sites; precision, non-interventionist winemaking; and limited, focused production.

Every decision we make–every minute detail addressed in winemaking process– must answer to one criterion: The wine must utterly, naturally and honestly express the character of the site from which it was grown.

Our meticulous methodology includes: night harvesting, hand sorting every berry; whole cluster pressing of Chardonnay; native yeast fermentation; barrel aging on lees to create more texture, richness and complexity; and weekly batonnage and topping during the decidedly long malolactic fermentation. We have never been a proponent of fining or filtering, and while this may result in a bit of haze, it is an absolute guarantee that the wine was made with the least intervention and with the highest quality intentions.

By sourcing our fruit from some of the most renowned growers on the Pacific Coast and by utilizing the state-of- the-art winemaking facilities at HALL Wines we are able to make the most precise, expressive wine possible while keeping our production levels extremely limited. In short, we are crafting the best that our vineyard sources, winemaking facilities, and team expertise will allow.' - Megan Gunderson Paredes, Vice President of Winemaking