***RECENTLY BOTTLED WINE, SHIPPING BEGINS NEXT WEEK***
For Pinot lovers, it doesn’t get much better than this.
The reputation of Sta. Rita Hills has ascended to the highest levels – located on a remote corner of the Central Coast, this tiny appellation is now considered one of the best Pinot Noir regions in the world, with signature wines that possess a harmony of deep fruit, fine structure, and vibrant acidity. Home to world-class terroir and a down-to-earth winemaking scene that remains firmly focused on the craft, you might think of it as “your favorite winemaker’s favorite wine region.” Unsurprisingly, the increase in prestige has been followed by requisite prices.
Lot 512 is a 100% single-vineyard Pinot Noir with a Burgundian soul, routinely raking in mid-90s from the top critics in recent vintages. Sourced from a family estate with winemaking talent of the highest pedigree, it sells direct for $65/bottle, $780/case before shipping. A quintessential expression of one of our very favorite regions, this was a no-brainer opportunity for us to pursue when presented with the chance, and we’ve secured it for you at over 75% OFF!
Our price: $179/case DELIVERED, $14+/bottle to your door.
Until the 1970s, this enclave of grassy, rolling hills by the Pacific was considered better suited for artichokes than wine grapes – its direct exposure to the ocean pummels it with fierce winds, constant fog, and chilly temperatures year-round. Obviously that was a misplaced belief in hindsight, since the harsh climate is exactly what makes grapes from Sta. Rita Hills so desirable (though the infamy of the movie Sideways and the growing list of local producers awarded 100-point scores probably doesn’t hurt, either).
The fruit for this beauty wasn’t hand-picked until October, affording it a few extra weeks of critical hang time. Made tip to tail using minimal-intervention techniques and only natural inputs, the small, thick-skinned, and wonderfully concentrated grapes underwent meticulous fermentation before settling into top-tier cooperage of 100% French oak (40% new).
The wine bursts open from the glass with hillside-concentrated spiced cherries, mulberries, and freshly turned earth laced with dried herbs. The entry is layered and dynamic, with cranberry-like acidity, rose hips, red berries, and tobacco leaf interwoven with crushed, velvety tannins. The long finish is perfumed and persistent, with subtle barrel nuances that add depth and resonance. Elegant and pleasurable in the short term, it’s an obvious cellar stalwart over the next decade plus.
