The Hilt Estate Pinot Noir 2021 (750ml)

Translucent ruby with garnet hues, the 2021 Estate Pinot Noir from The Hilt opens with a vivid, aromatic nose of wild strawberry, red cherry, dried rose petal, and blood orange, underpinned by notes of crushed herbs, sandalwood, and coastal salinity. Sourced from breezy, marine-influenced vineyards on the southwestern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, the fruit benefits from diurnal shifts and calcareous soils that lend both tension and elegance. Fermentation is conducted with partial whole clusters and native yeasts, followed by ageing in neutral and lightly used French oak for 11 months. The palate is finely etched and energetic, with bright red fruit, tea leaf, and savoury spice riding over a framework of taut acidity and fine, mineral-driven tannins. The finish is long, lifted, and quietly resonant, leaving a lingering impression of coastal freshness and spice-laced fruit.