2022 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir

From what is undeniably one of the Grand Cru sites of the appellation, the 2022 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard displays a translucent ruby hue and opens with Burgundian aromatics of black raspberries, earthy black cherries, spring flowers, and peppery, cedary spice. Fermented with 60% whole clusters and aged 19 months in 30% new French oak, it’s medium-bodied, seamless, and layered on the palate, with terrific depth, fine tannins, integrated acidity, and a great finish. Of the trio, it has the most mid-palate richness and density, and it will drink beautifully any time over the coming two decades. Drink 2025-2045. Racines is the collaboration between Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Domaine de Montille in Burgundy and Rodolphe Péters of Champagne Pierre Peters. This is their first project outside of France, and they chose Sta. Rita Hills after an extensive search for the right terroir. The lineup includes three single-vineyard Chardonnays and three Pinot Noirs. The Chardonnays are aged 11 months in 20-25% new oak, while the Pinots see 17-19 months in 15-30% new oak. The Pinot Noir program clearly shows the Burgundian influence, with whole cluster fermentation ranging from 50% in the appellation blend up to 75% in La Rinconada. The Sanford & Benedict Pinot with 60% whole clusters shows the most mid-palate density and what you'd expect from this Grand Cru-level site. All of these wines deliver exactly what you'd expect (and hope for) from Burgundian winemakers working in California – restrained, focused wines that emphasize site character and freshness while still capturing California's ripe, sun-kissed fruit. This is essentially Domaine de Montille making wine in Sta. Rita Hills and the results are predictably brilliant.

Really quite similar to the regular Pinot Noir 2022! More new oak apparently and grown on the local white soil type. Probably after five years the difference will become apparent. (JR)

The 2022 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is bright, effusive and super expressive. A delicate, fragrant wine, the 2022 is all class. Red/purplish fruit, spice, lavender, mint and a kick of blood orange lend notable character throughout. All the elements are so nicely balanced. This is a fine rendition of S&B in a difficult year where wines from this site are variable. Not here. The 2022 is an exotic beauty that only improves with aeration.