2013 Sandhi Wines Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills 750 ml

Pinot From America’s Two Most Daring Winemakers

Sandhi masterminds Sashi Moorman and Rajat Parr are two of the most daring winemakers in America, journeying to the coldest corners of California to craft brilliant, wild-berry Pinot Noirs braced by zesty acidity. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate’s has rewarded their efforts with a staggering 24 scores that hit in the 92-95-point range, praising the 2013 line as “beautifully made.” Their 2013 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills shows off every inch of these two winemakers’ exceptional pedigree, earning placement on the wine list at New York’s 2-Michelin-starred Daniel and scooping up 92 points from Wine & Spirits. If your Pinot Noir palate is geared towards brilliant dark-ruby color, mouthwatering, red-fruit intensity, braced by crisp acid backbone that would make the vignerons of Gevrey-Chambertin proud, clear out a corner of your cellar for this $25.99 Sandhi from Sta. Rita Hills — one of the most delicious American Pinot Noirs we tasted all year. Just 65 cases.

Sandhi is “one of the most exciting new projects in California,” according to Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Of their latest releases, the Advocate raved, “are all beautifully made and highlight the fresher, leaner side to the region.” Moorman and Parr are daring innovators, venturing to the edgiest, most extreme sites on the coast to craft Burgundian varieties that are as sophisticated and cerebral as they are mouthwateringly delicious. They’ve been rewarded with 24 impressive 92-95 point scores from The Wine Advocate and a reputation as the buzziest winemaking duo in the country.

For this release, the duo paid tribute to three of the Sta. Rita Hills most famous vineyards: the historic Sanford and Benedict, home of the oldest Pinot Noir plantings in Santa Barbara; Bentrock, where stiff ocean breezes make for incredible concentration in berries; and Rita’s Crown, set just above legendary Sea Smoke, a stone’s throw from Point Conception. In 2013, Mother Nature took the driver’s wheel, allowing Parr and Moorman to pick at the absolute perfect time, leading to a massive fresh fruit expression in the wine.