2021 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir
2021 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir
New release! A classic Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir from our region's most iconic vineyard.
Description
Sanford & Benedict grows some of the finest Pinot Noir in the Sta. Rita Hills. Wines from this historic site are invariably ripe, luscious and complex. Our 2021 vintage brings deep aromas of black cherries and plums framed by rose petals and black pepper. Red plums and pomegranates dominate the silky palate, giving way to a long finish of tea leaves, baking spices and chocolate-covered cherries. The richness of this Pinot is the perfect complement for winter fare of slow-cooked meats and roasted vegetables.
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
Sta. Rita Hills experienced an unseasonably cool growing season in 2021, pushing back vineyard development and ripening by an average of two weeks. Our harvest kicked off on September 8, then stalled for two weeks while grapes continued to ripen. Harvest continued well into October concluding with the final harvest of Radian Pinot Noir on October 18. The long hang time has encouraged excellent flavor development, complexity and concentration. The grapes for this wine were harvested between September 22nd.
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 18 months in French oak barrels with 29% new oak. This Pinot Noir was bottled unfined and unfiltered on April 13th, 2023.
| Vintage |
2021 |
| Wine Style |
Red Wine |
| Varietal |
100% Pinot Noir |
| Appellation |
Sta. Rita Hills |
| Acid |
5.8 g/l |
| PH |
3.46 |
| Alcohol % |
14.6 |
| Size |
750 ml |
