Sanford Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2022

This structured and 'vibrant' red wine originates from the United States, within the prestigious Sta. Rita Hills A.V.A. of Santa Barbara County, California. As a foundational pioneer of cool-climate viticulture, Sanford Winery holds a legendary legacy tracing back to 1971, when Richard Sanford and Michael Benedict identified this unique geographic maritime corridor. Operating under a precision-focused winemaking philosophy, the estate crafts its estate-grown Pinot Noir from two iconic heritage properties: the legendary Sanford & Benedict Vineyard and the adjacent Rinconada Vineyard. Rooted in complex soils of maritime alluvial silt, gravel, and calcium-rich shale, these blocks sit directly in the path of a rare, east-west mountain orientation. This opening channels cold Pacific fog and brisk ocean winds directly across the vines, naturally preserving an uncommonly vibrant, linear natural acidity while allowing the fruit to build intense aromatics and beautiful structural tension.

Wine Description

The Sanford Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir presents a brilliant, translucent ruby hue in the glass. Its sensory profile is exceptionally fresh, fragrant, and high-toned, opening with a precise and expressive bouquet of wild raspberries, sour cherries, and fresh cranberries, beautifully layered with savory nuances of rose petals, white sandalwood, white pepper, and a hint of fresh herbal pine. On the palate, the wine is light-to-medium-bodied, linear, and remarkably focused, displaying a crunchy core of tart red summer berries balanced by a mouthwatering natural acidity. The mouthfeel is transparent, sleek, and nimble, framed by soft, finely pixelated tannins that carry into a long, clean finish highlighted by a refreshing mineral crunch, delicate woodsmoke, and a lingering touch of marine salinity.