Sanford Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2021 750ml

Sanford is owned by the Terlato family, and its winemaker is Trey Fletcher, formerly of Bien Nacido and Littorai. The estate vineyards lie in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, granted in 2001, and Wine Spectator has called Sanford a "Pinot Noir Pioneer" of the region.

The 2021 blends fruit from two estate sites, Sanford & Benedict and La Rinconada. The winery hasn't published the 2021 percentages or oak regime; for comparison, the 2022 spent 11 months in oak, 25% new French. This appellation wine is the entry point to the estate's range, below its single-vineyard bottlings.

The winemaker calls the 2021 "Rich and beautifully focused," with deep red fruit and baking spice, supple and fresh, and says it will improve for several years. Wine Spectator calls it fresh, pure and brisk-edged.

Against EnRoute Les Pommiers Pinot Noir 2022, Sanford is fresher and more focused; for a Pinot Noir to cellar a few years, choose Sanford.

Wine Spectator suggests drinking it through 2030. Serve it with roast pork, duck or grilled salmon.

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