2019 The Hilt Pinot Noir Old Guard
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Tasting notes
The 2019 Pinot Noir Old Guard offers up a compelling mix of crazy aromatics, bright red fruit, herbs and spice. Weightless and wonderfully nuanced, the 2019 sizzles with energy to play off its weightless feel. The Old Guard Pinot is one of the most distinctive wines in the Sta. Rita Hills.
Critic scores
Jeb Dunnuck
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2019 Pinot Noir Old Guard is more earthy and spicy, with ample peppery (white and black pepper) nuances as well as terrific fruit. More focused, precise, and chiseled on the palate, it has wonderful elegance and purity, with a distinct sense of minerality on the finish. It will probably surpass the Vanguard release at maturity, but it’s more reserved, tight, and inward today. Regardless, it’s a sensational Pinot Noir.
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.