This Pinot Noir drinks like Santa Barbara with a little bit of Oregon. The cool climate of the Santa Rita Hills allows for the development of pomegranate, rhubarb, black cherry, and green and black tea leaves, while its earthiness and minerality are the best attributes of Oregon Pinot Noir. Here the Southing, which has matured greatly over the years, stands apart of the run of the mill Pinot Noir. If you’ve ever been to Santa Barbara you can see the layer of clouds that hug the mountains like a blanket. Underneath that blanket are the Sea Smoke vineyards that were planted 25 years ago. The cool marine influences help craft the unique flavors of this wine. The wine was aged in only French oak barrels, just 28% of which were new barrels, therefore the oak plays a supporting role, allowing the fruit to be the focus. ORIGIN: Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County. ALCOHOL: 14.5%.
