2014 Rita’s Crown Pinot Noir - Sweetzer Cellars

Black cherry, candied violet, strawberry preserve. Smashed blueberry, Christmas spice, water logged wood. Nutmeg and coriander, purple iris and fresh lavender. Pomegranate juice plus a little hint of rootbeer. Big ripe expansive fruit accentuated by pronounced spice and a light dusting of salt. This 2014 Rita's Crown Pinot Noir by Sweetzer Cellars is audacious and courageous Pinot from one of the Santa Rita Hills best vineyards.

The Rita's Crown vineyard is located right in the middle of the Santa Rita Hills AVA. It sits at one of the highest elevations in the appellation on a rugged windswept peak. Vines here are extremely stressed and yield small crops of intensely concentrated fruit. This wine, produced by Sweetzer Cellars, perfectly exemplifies the potential of this site. It is powerful and fruit forward yet still maintains a level of spiced sophistication. A touch of diatomaceous salinity sneaks in on the finish creating a Pinot Noir that is distinctly Californian and distinctly SRH. Sweetzer makes unabashedly delicious wine and should quickly establish their place as one of the top dogs in Lompoc and beyond.