Soil & Vineyard: Botella Clay Loam full of Chert & Shale. From a combination of three parcels throughout the great Sanford & Benedict vineyard. Two of the plantings are from 10-12 year old vines and provide the dark, deep core to this wine. The third piece, from the original plantings of the 1970s, brings elegance and floral lift.
Production & Aging: Native yeast fermentation using 2/3 whole clusters with occasional punching down during 3 week maceration before pressing into barrel. Aged 19 months in French oak barrels before bottling. 30% new oak.
The 2022 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is bright, effusive and super expressive. A delicate, fragrant wine, the 2022 is all class. Red/purplish fruit, spice, lavender, mint and a kick of blood orange lend notable character throughout. All the elements are so nicely balanced. This is a fine rendition of S&B in a difficult year where wines from this site are variable. Not here. The 2022 is an exotic beauty that only improves with aeration. 94 pts
– Antonio Galloni, Vinous