The Hilt - Estate Pinot Noir 2022

To understand the wines made by The Hilt, one might need to come visit the hard and harsh conditions under which they are born. The unobstructed, ocean facing east-west valley known as Sta. Rita Hills Valley is a complex AVA. One could divide it into four quadrants: northern-facing, southern-facing, close to the ocean, and further inland from the ocean. With such a frame, The Hilt’s favorite vineyards are in the northern-facing, closest to the ocean, windswept quadrant. These sites are the worst place for a grape grower, but the best ones for a winemaker.

Rancho Salsipuedes, where The Hilt wines make their home, provides vineyards planted on land nearly 13 unobstructed miles from the ocean on the west. This unique, large and sprawling property offers a range of altitudes, aspects, soil types, and microclimates, giving winemaker Matt Dees a patchwork of vineyard parcels from which to select grapes and create wines with distinctive styles.

The Estate wines are defined by the fruit and flavors of our little southwestern corner of the Sta. Rita Hills. They speak of the nuances and complexities of our property as a whole. These wines take into account the many aspects, clones, soil types, and other properties of our estate. They give us the maximum amount of blending components and, represent the most complete wines in our portfolio. 

"Black cherries, assorted darker berries, leafy herbs, sage, rose, and hints of iodine all emerge from the 2022 Pinot Noir Estate, a medium-bodied, complex, pretty, almost racy Pinot Noir that has solid depth of fruit, as well as a great finish. It blossoms with air, so don't be afraid to give this a decant if drinking any time soon. It should have an easy 10-12 years of prime drinking." - 93 points, Jeb Dunnuck

"The 2022 Pinot Noir Estate is glorious. A rush of inky dark fruit, spice, lavender, licorice and mocha are all front and center. Plush and explosive, with tremendous textural density, the 2022 has so much to offer. This is an especially large-scale, voluptuous wine from The Hilt." - 93 points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Producer: The Hilt

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills

Vintage: 2022

Size: 750ml