L'Usine Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills 2017

Winemaker Notes

The blend exhibits darker aromatics of blueberry, raspberry, black pepper, vanilla crème and a slight funk. The entry is refined yet immense with notes of redcurrant, cherry tart and traces of spice that follow through to the mid-palate. The backbone of acidity and a lengthy finish sets up the wine to age for many years.

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Sourced from growers in the Sta. Rita Hills (John Sebastiano Vineyard, Sea Smoke Vineyard and Radian Vineyard), this new wine from David Phinney (creator of the famous/infamous brand, The Prisoner) was aged for nine months in oak barrels, 60% new. Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2017 Pinot Noir sashays out of the glass with graceful kirsch, raspberry preserves and redcurrant jelly notes plus hints of oolong tea, violets and cinnamon stick. Medium-bodied, the palate is delicately played with bright red berries and spicy accents plus a satiny texture, finishing with lovely poise.

93 Points - Wine Spectator

Big and rich, with seductive Asian spice accents to the ripe dark cherry, plum and currant flavors. Creamy midpalate, featuring a finish that oozes with chocolate brioche details. Drink now through 2025.