What’s it like? It is a beauty. This is our most elegant Velvet Bee Pinot Noir yet. The nose is rich and floral, driven by cherry and violet notes. The flavors carry forward the berry theme, with blueberries and cherry, rounded out with some nice earth notes and minerality from the calcium-rich soil. This is an elegant, Sta. Rita Hills pinot noir.

A benchmark vintage for California Pinot, with wines showing power, finesse and the structure for cellaring; moderate temperatures and an even-keeled season led to a leisurely harvest, while crop size was on the lower side.