![Sanford "Sanford & Benedict Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2014 (Santa Barbara, California) - [JD 94] [WE 92] [WA 91] [BH 91]](http://artisan.wine/cdn/shop/products/GNxZbGgzSr-NrGwQDOMi1A_pb_x960_b1320413-d067-4b09-806e-5f6b71d9415a_{width}x.png?v=1673576867)
Sanford "Sanford & Benedict Vineyard" Pinot Noir 2014
(Santa Barbara, California) - [JD 94] [WE 92] [WA 91] [BH 91]
Regular price $80.00 Sale price $57.97 Save $22.03
About the Winery:
In Santa Barbara wine country, it all started with Sanford Winery. Recognizing a magical combination of climate and soil conditions, the Sanford & Benedict vineyard was plated in 1971, and the resulting wines are now the benchmark of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Pinot Noir has thrived in the Sta. Rita Hills ever since, and ranks among the best and most distinctive in the world. Sanford's estate vineyards - Rancho La Rinconada and Sanford & Benedict - lie within the 100 square mile AVA, and they rely exclusively on these vineyards for their luscious, signature Pinot Noir. The area owes its magic to an unusual east-west mountain valley that runs from the vineyards to the Pacific Ocean; ideal for cool-climate varietals.
Notes from the Winemaker:
The 2014 Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir was exclusively sourced from our historic estate vineyard in the esteemed Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Planted in 1971, this iconic vineyard consistently produces distinctively superb Pinot Noir. The 2014 wine exudes earthy aromas of dried brush, earth and spicy red fruits. The bright, silky palate is balanced with acidity and ripe tannins. Aged in French Oak barrels for 13 months where it gained concentration and complexity, this wine will improve in the bottle for 5 to 10 years with proper cellaring. This savory, elegant and layered wine will pair beautifully with duck cassoulet or porcini mushroom risotto.Ratings & Reviews
94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"The 2014 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is more fresh and lively, with a sappy note in its tart cranberry, pomegranate, rose petal and forest floor aromas and flavors. This beauty shines on the palate where it’s medium-bodied, fresh, taunt and elegant, yet with considerable mid-palate depth and a great finish. It’s impressive!" - Jeb Dunnuck (Aug 2017)
92 Points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine:
"Earthy aromas of juniper and forest floor give depth to the rusty cherry, tart cranberry, dried hibiscus and pepper-dust scents on the nose of this bottling from the historic vineyard. Soft in structure at first, it then delivers a firmer tannic edge in the midpalate, all the while delivering vivacious red fruit and pine-forest flavors. It will age very well." - Matt Kettmann (9/1/2017)
91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The excellent 2014 Pinot Noir Sanford and Benedict Vineyard offers up aromas of earthy red and black fruits, spice and rose hip. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, complete and layered, with nice freshness and energy but more amplitude and dimension than its counterpart from the La Rinconada Vineyard." - William Kelley (Apr 2018)
91 Points - Allen Meadows' Burghound:
"The slightly cooler, restrained and airy nose is composed by the admirably pure essence of red pinot fruit, spice and rose petal wisps. The middle weight flavors are both sleeker and better delineated if not quite as opulent and concentrated while concluding in an energetic, dusty and balanced finish where a touch austerity appears. This is really quite good and while it should repay mid-term cellaring, it could be enjoyed after only a few years of keeping." (Apr 2018)
In Santa Barbara wine country, it all started with Sanford Winery. Recognizing a magical combination of climate and soil conditions, the Sanford & Benedict vineyard was plated in 1971, and the resulting wines are now the benchmark of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Pinot Noir has thrived in the Sta. Rita Hills ever since, and ranks among the best and most distinctive in the world. Sanford's estate vineyards - Rancho La Rinconada and Sanford & Benedict - lie within the 100 square mile AVA, and they rely exclusively on these vineyards for their luscious, signature Pinot Noir. The area owes its magic to an unusual east-west mountain valley that runs from the vineyards to the Pacific Ocean; ideal for cool-climate varietals.
Notes from the Winemaker:
The 2014 Sanford & Benedict Pinot Noir was exclusively sourced from our historic estate vineyard in the esteemed Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Planted in 1971, this iconic vineyard consistently produces distinctively superb Pinot Noir. The 2014 wine exudes earthy aromas of dried brush, earth and spicy red fruits. The bright, silky palate is balanced with acidity and ripe tannins. Aged in French Oak barrels for 13 months where it gained concentration and complexity, this wine will improve in the bottle for 5 to 10 years with proper cellaring. This savory, elegant and layered wine will pair beautifully with duck cassoulet or porcini mushroom risotto.
Ratings & Reviews
94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:"The 2014 Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard is more fresh and lively, with a sappy note in its tart cranberry, pomegranate, rose petal and forest floor aromas and flavors. This beauty shines on the palate where it’s medium-bodied, fresh, taunt and elegant, yet with considerable mid-palate depth and a great finish. It’s impressive!" - Jeb Dunnuck (Aug 2017)
92 Points - Wine Enthusiast Magazine:
"Earthy aromas of juniper and forest floor give depth to the rusty cherry, tart cranberry, dried hibiscus and pepper-dust scents on the nose of this bottling from the historic vineyard. Soft in structure at first, it then delivers a firmer tannic edge in the midpalate, all the while delivering vivacious red fruit and pine-forest flavors. It will age very well." - Matt Kettmann (9/1/2017)
91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The excellent 2014 Pinot Noir Sanford and Benedict Vineyard offers up aromas of earthy red and black fruits, spice and rose hip. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, complete and layered, with nice freshness and energy but more amplitude and dimension than its counterpart from the La Rinconada Vineyard." - William Kelley (Apr 2018)
91 Points - Allen Meadows' Burghound:
"The slightly cooler, restrained and airy nose is composed by the admirably pure essence of red pinot fruit, spice and rose petal wisps. The middle weight flavors are both sleeker and better delineated if not quite as opulent and concentrated while concluding in an energetic, dusty and balanced finish where a touch austerity appears. This is really quite good and while it should repay mid-term cellaring, it could be enjoyed after only a few years of keeping." (Apr 2018)