“Bold and rich wines yet balanced and refined with wonderful freshness and length.” – James Suckling on Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

Pinot People! Buckle up for ANOTHER tasty treat from the Sta. Rita Hills! Did we not just witness what happens when gobs of fruit from these parts are unleashed in the $20s zone? Grab that “oh $#!t”* handle and brace yourself. Here. We. GOO!!

A MASSIVE $50 OFF. Single vineyard. Single clone. Once upon a time $70 but yours for $25.

James nails it with that quote. This is a fuller-bodied style. Kimberly Smith is the owner and winemaker of La Montagne and she’s passionate about two things: Pinot and Chardonnay. Learning the winemaking ropes under the tutelage of her neighbor Clos Pepe Vineyard has paid off in spades.

Kessler-Haak is a modest 2.5-acre vineyard near the coast, sandwiched between the famed Clos Pepe and Machado vineyards a prime slither of land where Pinot does best. Kimberly selects specific clones from this location to make some singular expressions of the grape. With just a few barrels of each, it’s rare to see these wines anywhere outside of the winery.

This is terrifyingly easy to drink, deep and dark ruby in the glass, and round and ripe on the palate. Mouthfuls of fruit sashay across your tongue while a mix of earth, forest floor, and spices do a left allemande from side to side. With brisk acidity to keep it moving along. Imagine combining the ripest summer strawberries and cherries, a dollop of rhubarb jam, and a sprinkling of nutmeg and allspice. That’s close to what you get here. Fire up the BBQ, who cares about the weather?

Seriously good stuff for the crowd who appreciates those in-your-face Pinots. And the price!?