Sea Smoke "Southing" Pinot Noir 2021
(Santa Rita Hills, California)

About the Winery:
When producing world-class Pinot Noir, location is everything. For years, vintners have coveted a stretch of land in the western end of Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills AVA known to have the perfect microclimate, soils, and exposure to grow world-class Pinot Noir. In 1999, fulfilling a long-held dream of owner Bob Davids, this sought-after stretch of land became Sea Smoke Vineyard.

Pinot Noir and Chardonnay come exclusively from the estate vineyard and are biodynamically farmed.

About this Wine:
Southing refers to the south-facing hillside bluffs found on our estate vineyard. Each year, our goal for this wine is to create the ideal marriage of complexity and elegance. Southing is a true expression of the terroir of Sea Smoke Vineyard: seductive flavors and fine tannins complimented by cool climate acidity.

Tasting Notes:
Each year, our goal for Southing is to create the ideal marriage of complexity and elegance. The ever-changing nose of the Southing exhibits fresh strawberry, geranium, Montmorency cherry; and subtle baking spices. The fine tannins and minerality are enhanced by our estate vineyard’s characteristic cool climate acidity.

Technical Information

Winemaking:
Hand-harvested, clusters were sorted in the vineyard and then gently destemmed following an evening in our cold room. All ‘jack stems’ were removed on the sorting table. Musts were cold soaked in open-top fermenters for five days, and then inoculated with cultured yeasts to begin slow fermentation. Each tank was manually punched down two times per day, with a total maceration time of fourteen to eighteen days. Upon completion of primary fermentation and maceration, all free run wine was transferred to tank for settling and then pressed at extremely low pressure (0.08 bars) to avoid extracting bitterness. After settling overnight both free-run and press wines were racked to barrels. Southing was bottled with no fining and no filtration.

Appellation Santa Rita Hills
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir 
Vineyard Source: Exclusively Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.3% by volume
pH: 3.41
Total Acidity: 5.6 g/L
Barrel Aging: 16 months
Oak Profile: Exclusively French Oak—28% New Barrels
Release Date: September 2023 

 

 

Ratings & Reviews

96 Points - Decanter (2020):
The 2020 Southing is a power-packed Pinot, lean with pure muscle and tension. The nose leads with dusty cherries, cedar and dried wild herbs, with a dusting of cardamom. Medium-bodied with boysenberry, wild strawberry, cherry compote, a dusting of cocoa powder, and a heaping dose of crushed stone minerality, all framed by sinewy tannins and tart acidity. Plenty of energy and tension, and freshness on the long finish. (Drink between 2024-2038)

94 Points - James Suckling (2020):
"Aromas of blueberries with wrought iron and metal shavings with some sliced strawberries with white tops. Full to medium body. Firm tannins and fresh acidity. Racy. Narrow. Drink or hold." (Mar 2023)