The Hilt Estate Pinot Noir (Santa Rita Hills) '22

The Hilt’s Estate Pinot Noir is sourced from the renowned vineyards of Sta. Rita Hills, including Radian and Bentrock, with vines aged between 8 and 44 years. The wine is known for its rich, dark fruit profile of black cherry and tobacco, balanced by earthy notes of porcini and dried herbs. It displays a broader and more generous character compared to previous vintages, thanks to low yields and a warm vintage, offering a complex mix of decadent fruit, savory earthiness, and refreshing acidity. Aged in French oak, the wine is defined by its fine-grained tannins and a long finish of silky fruit and subtle tannin dusting. Winemaker Matt Dees emphasizes the uniqueness of the terroir, with the wine showcasing the nuances of the estate’s diverse vineyard blocks. The 2022 Estate Pinot Noir has received high praise, with 94 points from James Suckling, 93 from Jeb Dunnuck, and 93 from Antonio Galloni, who describe it as a voluptuous, complex Pinot Noir with a great depth of fruit, promising excellent aging potential.