Lot 434 comes to us from a single-block designate program from one of, if not the, premier Sta. Rita Hills single vineyard sites for Pinot Noir, with asking prices reaching north of $125/bottle and mid-to-high 90s scores under the original label year over year.
Our source was incredibly particular, requiring us to declassify the labels down to "Santa Barbara County"; we were also specifically prohibited to disclose the exact original bottle price to keep things nebulous. Why was it made available to us? They are discontinuing this particular single-block program to focus more on their core single-vineyard bottlings in light of uncertain headwinds in the 3-tier and global distribution arena.
Regardless of how or why we got our hands on this, the most important thing remains - we scored a rockstar of a wine, and can still pass incredible savings under our label to you via the Bottle Shop.
Über-focused, high-altitude, block-specific Pinot Noir from Dijon clones, crafted by a decorated winemaker with numerous 98+ point wines under their belt, at a price of only $30/bottle under our label. Unreal.
The wine opens with a captivating bouquet that seamlessly interweaves cherries, cola, cinnamon, and clove. Hints of brown sugar and truffle lend an air of refinement, haloed by potting soil and tobacco leaf. The palate is lively, showing a medium+ cranberry-like acidity and small, grippy, perfectly integrated tannins framing additional cherries and wild blueberry. The exit is vanilla-flecked with refined cooperage barrel spice, with a delicate interplay of cherry and mushroom umami underscored by the lingering presence of fresh-sliced vanilla beans. A beautiful showcase of the artistry of its makers.
14.2% alc
