usapinot

2022  Sta Rita Hills

"Whitcraft's Radian Pinot Noir exudes cold depth, like a mossy pond with streaks of filtered sunlight streaming through it. Crunchy, blood-coloured berry notes burst on the palate like springtime, intertwining fruity highlights with shadowy mineral undertones. The wine's foundation bears a striking resemblance to the vineyard it hails from, renowned for its unique soil composition - primarily clay, loam, and substantial deposits of the fossilised remains of diatoms, a type of microalgae, which impart a clean yet earthy profile on the palate, full of minerality and slick wet stone salinity. The finish is gradual, lingering as if it always will, provided it remains undisturbed by outside forces. Deliciously clean and exuberant now, with ample breadth and elasticity. An impressive piece of Santa Barbara history awaits those willing to wait 5-10 years to enjoy it." - 98pts Decanter ---- "This site is very special. Steep, southwest and southeast facing hillsides loaded with dark rich clay and golf ball sized pieces of chert. Every day it is windy and cool. It pours a dense dark red in the glass, showing that the berries are small and concentrated and not over watered. Very dark, much like 2021 Radian was. The nose is Burgundy, a million layers to dissect. Red fruit, purple fruit, baking spices, petrichor, beautiful high quality tea leaves, mineral water, salty air, and rose petals. Basically, everything you want and expect from great Pinot Noir. The mouth is fleshy, firm, taut and giving all at the same time. Juicy red fruit brings immense childlike pleasure, this is an adult candy in a glass, but so much more. The rich soil shows as refined tannin, and the tiny thicker-skinned berries show off with a depth of fruit only a site with this long of a growing season could have. For a frame of reference to that, this site bud breaks 2-3 weeks earlier than Pence, and comes off a month later. The amount of time given by Mother Nature for this fruit to develop flavor is crazy and matched only in the coldest parts of the Sonoma and Mendocino coasts, 300+ miles to the north. Stunning now and will age tremendously." - Drake Whitcraft