2014 The Hilt Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Santa Barbara County 750 ml

Pinot Noir from “One of the Best Winemakers in California”

Exceptional winemaking skill, royally impressive owners, and some of the best grapes in Santa Barbara’s Sta. Rita Hills AVA all conspired to make this lavish, layered, dark-fruited 94-point 2014 The Hilt Pinot Noir. For starters, winemaker Matt Dees cut his teeth at Staglin learning from 100-point legend Andy Erickson (of Screaming Eagle, Dalla Valle, Ovid, and Arietta). But Dees, in his own right, has also been called "one of the best winemakers in California” by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. Matt’s 2014 The Hilt Pinot comes from Rancho Salsipuedes, whose forbidding Sta. Rita Hills terrain exposes steeply-sloped vines to powerful, energizing Pacific winds, which makes it “a grower’s nightmare, but a winemaker’s dream,” as Matt says. The critics agree. This unique microclimate turned out a “full-bodied, layered, and velvety,” wine, and with 94 points from James Suckling at $39.99 per bottle (11% off the $45 release price), steeped in such pedigree, it frankly should cost double. Read on to understand why this is the definition of a Sta. Rita Hills “steal,” but first hit “buy” with shipping included on 4 or more.

Long before the critical praise for Santa Barbara’s Pinot Noir country started appearing in Parker’s Advocate, Wine Spectator and beyond, the owners of JONATA, The Hilt and The Paring planted vines in Santa Barbara County. They spared no expense and later made waves by purchasing Screaming Eagle in Oakville, continuing their tradition of high-level attention to detail that began in the Central Coast. For their Bordeaux varieties, they staked a claim in the well-drained soils of Ballard Canyon AVA. Their Burgundy varieties though—perhaps taking cues from Jim Clendenon, Greg Brewer, and Adam Tolmach of Ojai—would require a different kind of terrain.

They found the perfect place in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, at a site called Rancho Salsipuedes. The property boasts the best of what makes Sta. Rita Hills one of Santa Barbara’s top sites for Pinot Noir. It encompasses the rugged terrain of two renown vineyards, both primary sources for The Hilt’s blend: Radian, as well as the rolling hills of Bentrock, which are quite reminiscent of the Côte d’Or. The site enjoys the persistent winds and cooling influence of the Pacific, which keep acidity optimal even as the California sun radiates warmth down on the vines.

Winemaker Matt Dees has an impeccable pedigree: In addition to his time alongside Andy Erickson in Napa, he has a degree in soil science, early experience working with Burgundy varieties at New Zealand’s Craggy Range, and a proven record of Santa Barbara County excellence. The Wine Advocate has called The Hilt “an estate whose future is very bright,” but we take issue with that assessment. With Matt Dees at the helm, The Hilt’s time is right now. Don’t miss out on this Sta. Rita Hills gem.