2009 The Hilt Vanguard Pinot Noir
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
(made from fruit grown in the Sanford & Benedict, La Encantada and Bien Nacido vineyards): Bright ruby-red, Ripe black raspberry and cherry aromas are complicated by cola, star anise and rose oil. Intense, palate-staining red fruit flavors show very good depth, with tangy acidity providing spine and lift. The cola note comes up strongly on the clinging, spicy finish, lending an impression of sweetness.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
A sleek, racy wine the 2009 Pinot Noir Vanguard is endowed with gorgeous depth in its dark red cherries, flowers, spices and licorice. Floral notes are woven throughout, adding lift and brightness. This attractive, juicy Pinot is best enjoyed over the next few years. The vineyards are 65% Sanford & Benedict, 20% La Encantada and 15% Bien Nacido.
A sleek, racy red, the 2009 Pinot Noir Vanguard is endowed with gorgeous depth in its dark cherries, flowers, spices and licorice. Floral notes are woven throughout, adding lift and brightness. This attractive, juicy Pinot is best enjoyed over the next few years. The vineyards are 65% Sanford & Benedict, 20% La Encantada and 15% Bien Nacido. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. The Hilt is a new project headed by Stan Kroenke, Matt Dees and Armand de Maigret, the same team behind Jonata. This strong set of new releases suggests the future is very bright for The Hilt. I also tasted the 2011s, but they are very, very young and still need considerable time to come together. There will be a new Chardonnay in 2011 called Vanguard, which will round out the current lineup to two Chardonnays and two Pinots. Tel. (805) 564-8581
About the producer
The Hilt is the Santa Rita Hills project owned by sports and property mogul billionaire Stan Kroenke, who also owns Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley and the Jonata estate in the California’s Ballard Canyon AVA.