2016 Estate Pinot Noir - Zotovich Vineyards & Winery

Pure bing cherry, fresh lavender, juicy raspberry. Ripe strawberry, saltwater brine, pomegranate juice. Crushed nutmeg and vanilla powder, cleaned mushroom and wet undergrowth. Santa Rosa plum and a spoonful of rhubarb pie lead a charge of expansive red fruit towards mild earthy funk and ocean sand. Well balanced and extremely terroir expressive, gushing with prominent salinity typical of its origin. Showing a bit of oak at this stage which should fade into complete integration with time. This 2016 Estate Pinot Noir by Zotovich Vineyards & Winery is a gorgeously complex example of Santa Rita Hills Pinot.

Santa Barbara's Santa Rita Hills appellation sits within a series of rare East/West facing mountain ranges. Known as transverse ranges, these coastal mountains were formed long ago by tectonic plates colliding deep beneath the earth's surface. Once completely under the ocean the Santa Rita Hills also benefits from soils heavy in marine sediment and fossilized diatoms. These unique factors have combined to create near perfect growing conditions for cool-climate wine grapes - especially Pinot Noir. This bottling, crafted by Zotovich Vineyards & Winery using 100% Pinot Noir from the Zotovich Vineyard, is a prime example of why this famed region has received such high praise. This wine shines with juicy California fruit but is equally driven by notes of pronounced maritime terroir. It is merely medium in body with medium plus tannin and acidity, and while enjoyable now this stuff is built to improve with 3-5 years or more of bottle age. This is fantastic wine from one of the Santa Rita Hills' most characterful vineyards.