Why do we love it?
You may need to spend a small fortune to experience the grandeur of Burgundy but with Sanford Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir you can try something pretty amazing and you have money left for fillet and brie with truffles. Its incredible price, compared to its typicity, finesse, and complexity will definitely make it your most favorite Pinot and one of these wines that you always want to have in your cellar.
The Sta. Rita Hills AVA is located in Santa Barbara is, for those who know, one of the best and most up-and-coming areas of the world for top Pinot Noirs, with finesse and style reminiscent of the famous crus of Burgundy. The cold climate and the large diurnal range help to the slow ripening of the grapes, so that the aromas and flavors of the variety get fully developed. It is no coincidence that its wines appear every year in lists of the best wines in the world. At the same time, Sanford Winery was the first to plant vines in the area, in 1971, and since then it has paved the way for many more wineries.
Sanford Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir comes from 2 vineyards in the heart of the Sta. Rita Hills, with the oldest vines in the area. The wine is fermented in stainless steel tanks and then it is aged for 11 months, in French oak barrels, 25% new, acquiring complexity and a spicy dimension.
We really hadn’t the chance to try such a Pinot Noir, outside the French borders!
Tastes Like
Sanford Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir has medium ruby color. Elegant and complex nose with aromas of strawberry, cherry, raspberry jam, sour cherry, vanilla, cinnamon, oak, tea leaves, lavender, and nutmeg.
In the mouth, it is expressive, with medium to full body, crisp acidity, and medium but silky tannins. Juicy strawberry, ripe cherry, cranberry, vanilla, cedar, dried herbs, green pepper, and toffee fill up the palate.