2017 Pinot Noir Bentrock
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Tasting notes
A new release, the 2017 Pinot Noir Bentrock Vineyard comes from a north-facing bench in the western part of the Sta. Rita Hills. Deep ruby/purple-hued with notes of caramelized cherries, candied violets, orange blossom, and toasty oak, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, rounded tannins, beautiful purity, and the class and balance that's the hallmark of this estate. This is a big, rich, textured beauty to drink over the coming decade. The big news with these The Hilt releases is the addition of two new single vineyard Pinot Noirs, Radian and Bentrock. As usual, winemaker Matt Dees has turned out a brilliant lineup of wines in both 2017 and 2018.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Pinot Noir Bentrock is bright, focused and nervous in feel, as wines from this site at the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills often are. Chalk, white pepper, mint, blood orange and mint add brilliant top notes to this super-expressive, distinctive Pinot from The Hilt.
Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Bentrock Pinot Noir has a youthfully gregarious nose of warm cranberry, crushed blueberry, strawberry jam and rhubarb with black raspberries, dusty earth, herbs, amaro hints plus violet and lilac perfume. Medium-bodied with a good core of spicy fruit, it's structured by grainy tannins and seamless freshness, finishing long and spicy.
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.