2005 Sanford & Benedict Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

The oldest Pinot Noir vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills appellation, the Sanford & Benedict vineyard is one of the best sources for Burgundian varietals in all of Cali¬fornia. Situated in the cooler, western most portion of the valley, it sits on a north-facing slope to protect it from the sometimes-scorching midday sun. It lies within a narrow median between a too foggy coastal zone and a too warm inland valley and is suited perfectly for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Typically, the wine is expres¬sive of blackberry and other dark fruits along with cloves and liquorice aromatics. The plush mouth feel leads to a lingering finish with smoky overtones and hints of dried herbs. The 2005 Sanford and Benedict Pinot Noir offers a classic Sta. Rita Hills nose of fruit, spice, and tobacco, and as it opens, it gains scents of sage and dusty earth, reminiscent of the scrub brush and chaparral that dominate the hills of California’s Central Coast. Notes of chocolate drifting to mocha pair with black cherry and toast as the nose finishes. On the palate, red fruit and blackberry join the dark fruit from the nose, and the firm structure leads to a long-lasting finish of fruit and herbs. The Sanford and Benedict Vineyard yields good tannic weight and acid¬ity, bringing terrific structure to support the fruit, and the result is a deep, rich wine with elegance and balance.