The Hilt Estate, encouraged by Stan Kroenke’s dedication to excellence, has turned out a series of wines that have garnered substantial critical acclaim from Robert M. Parker Jr., Jeb Dunnuck, Antonio Galloni and Stephen Tanzer.
Tasting Notes
Colour: Red with hints of purple.
Nose: So much wild black fruit. Plum and blackberry. High toned and pure. Tons of flesh, but also so muscular. Smokey and resinous with air. Hints of black licorice, mint, dried sage and even dried chorizo.
Palate: Texturally fascinating wine. A statuesque wine full of fruit density, chalky tannins and vibrancy. Density, fruit purity and long lasting tannic structure.
Grape Varieties: 100% Pinot Noir
Aging: 35% new French oak, 65% neutral French oak
Awards: 94pts – Wine Advocate:William Kelley
History of The Hilt Estate
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.
Website: https://www.thehiltestate.com/