Wine Region: California - USA
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Tasting notes: The 2018 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict is sensual, silky and impeccable in its balance. There is lovely nuance in the glass to match the wine's mid-weight, restrained personality. Sweet floral notes and purplish fruit linger in the glass.
Expert ratings:
Decanter 95/100
"This is silky, polished and stately. A blend of one block planted in 2008 as well as a portion of the original 1973 plantings, it both amplifies the style found in the Tyler bottling and supplies a greater level of nuance and character. The higher percentage of stem-inclusion, new French oak and time in barrel that sums up the Racines style, all come together perfectly to show off a dark, more brooding character from this timeless, definitive vineyard."
Antoni Galloni 95/100
"The 2018 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict is just stunning. Bright, translucent and exquisitely layered, the Sanford & Benedict is magical. All the elements come together in the glass. The purity of the flavors is striking, but everything about the 2018 works. Sweet red berry fruit, mint, spice, blood orange and rose petal all develop with a bit of air, but more than anything else, it is the wine's balance that is so compelling."
About the winery:
Racines is a collaboration between two classic houses from France, led by vignerons Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Burgundy and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne (Champagne Pierre Peters). The team came together to join their individual experiences in hand-crafting wines of purity and transparency to create a range of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the cool climate of the Sta. Rita Hills in California.
The project is the first venture for Étienne and Rodolphe beyond France and represents the coming together of all that is wonderful about Burgundy, Champagne and California. Production methods are firmly rooted in the traditions of France with all native yeast fermentations, extended elevage, use of whole cluster for Pinot Noir and wines that have ample amounts of fresh acidity and the ability to age
These wines confirm something many have long suspected: that if you are looking to make terroir driven, elegant, balanced wines in the new world, then Sta. Rita Hills is the place.
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