MT 2021 Pinot Noir

Sta. Rita Hills, California | Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

The 2021 Co^lluvial™ “MT” Pinot bottling is grounded in the majesty of California’s Santa Rita Hills AVA (American Viticultural Area). The fruit is drawn from the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard.  First planted in 1971, this vineyard is home to the oldest Pinot Noir vines in Santa Barbara County. Named one of the five most important and iconic vineyards in California by Wine Enthusiast, the Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is renowned for both its historical significance and the continued quality of the fruit it produces.  The vineyard has some of the most complex soils we have been lucky enough to work with.  Mostly clay and clay loam, this hillside vineyard is also strewn with pockets of limestone, fracture shale, chert and other sedimentary deposits. This mixture gives the soil great water holding capacity from the clay but breaks up the matrix by aeration and drainage from the stony components.

Tasting Notes

“A light, brisk-edged style, with pomegranate and blood orange fruit taking the lead, backed by rooibos tea and a nervy mineral edge through the sneaky long finish.” James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

“More savory red fruits, sour cherry, dried herbs, underbrush, and spicy notes emerge from the 2021 Pinot Noir MT Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, a medium-bodied, nicely balanced, classic Pinot Noir from this site that has rip tannins, good overall balance, and outstanding length. It’s a classy, complex Pinot Noir to drink over the coming 5-7 years or so.  Jeb Dunnuck, JebDunnuck.com

“This is also quite lightly hued while offering slightly better aromatic layering on the more deeply pitched nose of plum, violet and a similar hint of crushed anise. There is better volume to the succulent and generously proportioned flavors that possess a lush mouthfeel that contrasts somewhat with the youthfully austere finale that offers better depth and a bit better length as well.  Allen Meadow’s Burghound

“Lightly colored in the glass, this bottling offers savory notes of mesquite-smoked meat, dank herb and strawberry on the nose. The palate is smokey as well, with hickory and charred strawberry leading into a salty, jerky-like finish.” M.K., Wine Enthusiast

Food Pairings

Lamb Stew with baby carrots. Seared Ahi Tuna with Mediterranean couscous salad. Aged Cheeses.

To download the full Co^lluvial™ Information Sheet, click here.