Expect dark cherry, black raspberry, baking spice, dried herb, and earthy notes with medium-to-full body, structured tannins, and bright acidity. The 2015 California vintage was warm; at 10 years from vintage, the wine should be drinking with secondary notes emerging.
- Varietal
- Pinot Noir
- Region
- USA / California / Santa Barbara County / Sta. Rita Hills
- Body
- Medium to Full
- Style
- dry red, structured, oak-aged, cool-climate
The producer
The Hilt is a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay specialist in Sta. Rita Hills, owned by the Jonata / Stolpman family connection (founded by Stan Kroenke's California holdings). Sources from cool-climate sites in the western end of Sta. Rita Hills.
What critics say
The Hilt has received consistently strong reviews as a benchmark cool-climate California Pinot producer, with scores in the mid- to high-90s common.
Pairing
Roasted duck breast, lamb chops with herbs, mushroom risotto