Santa Rita Pinots

Jen’s Notes

2004 Pinot Noir, Sanford, Santa Rita Hills
$24.99

I think we're becoming pinot snobs! This one was pretty good, although not nearly as smooth and interesting as the other Santa Rita Hills Pinots we have enjoyed (namely, Sea Smoke). It does, however, have the virtue of being easier to find and relatively affordable.

It boasts a nose of bright strawberry fruit layered over eucalyptus. On the palate, it is nicely tangy, reminiscent of cranberries. There is some concentration here, but it lacks the subtle complexity that we like to see in a good Pinot Noir.

2004 Pinot Noir
"Botella"
Sea Smoke
$28.00

This is Sea Smoke's entry level offering (we got our allocation last week - yay!). It is intensely perfumed, with violet and warm woody scents. It is a bit hot on the palate, but this should diminish somewhat with decanting, and a lot with a couple of years of bottle age. Even so, I enjoyed the juicy, cranberry fruit, accented as it was with a hint of smoke.