Winemaker Notes
Exotic and perfumed with an enticing combination of black, green and red notes. Black pepper, blackberry, Balaton cherry and purple sage. Absolutely jumps out of the glass. Black plum. Defined by velvet attack and silky texture that are the trademarks of the 2016 vintage. Powerful inner perfume mingles with powdered tannins. Focused and fresh. Moves towards a gentle collision between mouthwatering tannins, dense and dark fruit, bright acidity and lingering spice. The most stunning and complete expression to date of the potential of The Hilt's windy and wild estate vineyards.
93 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The Hilt's 2016 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is excellent, wafting from the glass with an exciting bouquet of dark wild berry fruits, licorice, rich soil, rose hip and orange peel. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, bright and expansive, with velvety tannins and a crunchy core of primary fruit, its bright line of acidity carrying through to the mouthwatering finish.
93 points Jeb Dunnuck
The 2016 Pinot Noir Estate is the larger production red from this team, yet it certainly gives a good view into the quality coming from the Hilt wines. Black cherries, black raspberries, graphite, peppery herbs, and underbrush notes flow to a medium-bodied, supple, beautifully layered Pinot Noir that has ripe, present tannins, plenty of mid-palate flesh, and remarkable purity.
