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Reviews
95 Vinous -
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The 2015 Pinot Noir Vanguard is a stunningly beautiful, dramatic wine endowed with massive flavor intensity and sheer richness, featuring inky blue/purplish fruit, menthol, licorice and spice. There is not much subtlety here, and yet this wine is simply glorious. Fruit sources are Sanford & Benedict, Radian and Bentrock.
94 Robert Parker's Wine Advocate -
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Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Vanguard leaps from the glass with frisky Bing cherries, pomegranate and fresh cranberry notes plus hints of violets, cinnamon stick and fallen leaves. Medium-bodied, the palate gives a great intensity of crunchy, vibrant red berry flavors, framed by lovely ripe, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing long and perfumed.
94 Jeb Dunnuck -
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The 2015 Pinot Noir Vanguard comes from slightly younger vines and see a portion aged in new French oak. It's similarly colored to the Old Guard cuvée but offers more fruit and polish on the nose. Cassis, dried cranberries, dried flowers and hints of mint all emerge from this layered, beautifully concentrated, focused Pinot Noir that's slightly more approachable than the Old Guard cuvée, yet should be just as long lived. It needs 3-5 years of cellaring to show its true potential.
94 Wine Enthusiast -
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Deep, hearty and lavish aromas of nutmeg, boysenberry paste, purple flowers and forest floor show on the nose of this bottling by Matt Dees. It is a thick and masculine expression of Pinot Noir, yet is expertly balanced by bright acidity, polished but firm tannins and an earthy sensibility at its core.
Technical Details
- BlendPinot Noir
- WinemakerMatt Dees
- CountryUS
- RegionSanta Barbara County
- AppellationSanta Rita Hills
- VineyardSanford & Benedict, Radian and Bentrock
- Alcohol14.1%
The Hilt Pinot Noir The Vanguard 2015
Pinot Noir | US
VN95, WA94, JD94, WE94
Too late, we are SOLD OUT!
Hold. ON! This is serious juice, one of the best (and highest-scoring) Hilt wines to date! A masterful combination of three incredible sites, Sanford & Benedict, Radian and Bentrock.
Radian and Bentrock, in the far western reaches of Sta. Rita Hills and just miles from the ocean, are both estate vineyards, acquired by The Hilt (also part of the Jonata, and Screaming Eagle family of brands) in 2014. They continue to sell fruit to California’s top wineries like Brewer Clifton, Liquid Farm, Ojai, WALT, Chateau Boswell and Sandhi, but keep their favorite blocks for themselves. The blend is then supercharged with a healthy dose of Sanford and Benedict, arguably the top site in the region. Matt Dees is fully dialing this program and making some outstanding wine to rival California’s most exciting pinot noir.
Another notable discovery that might get your attention is that starting with the 2017 vintage, this wine will be $85/btl so lock it in at $57.95 for a three pack or more with free shipping!
“...stunningly beautiful, dramatic wine endowed with massive flavor intensity and sheer richness..." - Vinous
"...great intensity of crunchy, vibrant red berry flavors, framed by lovely ripe, grainy tannins and beautiful freshness, finishing long and perfumed..." - Wine Advocate
"...layered, beautifully concentrated, focused Pinot Noir..." - Jeb Dunnuck
"It is a thick and masculine expression of Pinot Noir, yet is expertly balanced by bright acidity.” - Wine Enthusiast
Just a smattering of praise for this from all the top critics...makes you thirsty, doesn’t it? Read the full reviews below but grab some of this while we have it!
About the Producer
To understand the wines made by The Hilt, one might need to come visit the hard and harsh conditions under which they are born. The unobstructed, ocean facing east-west valley known as Sta. Rita Hills Valley is a complex AVA. One could divide it into four quadrants: northern-facing, southern-facing, close to the ocean, and further inland from the ocean. With such a frame, The Hilt?s favorite vineyards are in the northern-facing, closest to the ocean, windswept quadrant. These sites are the worst place for a grape grower, but the best ones for a winemaker.