Racines Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2017

This is a gorgeous Sta. Rita Hills cuvee by one of the most consistent producers in California year in, year out. The 2017 Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir is bold, juicy  and super-expressive, with lovely aromatic nuance to play off the dark cherry and plums. It’s a seductive appellation Pinot of real character and substance. Then again, that’s not surprising given that vineyard sites are La Encantada, Sanford & Benedict, La Rinconada and Bentrock. This is a terrific showing from Etienne De Montille and Justin Willett, two fabulous winemakers.

Racines is first a collaboration—the creative and rigorous output of four great voices of wine. Justin Willett of Tyler Winery has been joined in his home appellation, the Sta. Rita Hills, by Étienne de Montille and Brian Sieve of Domaine de Montille and Rodolphe Péters of Pierre Péters. There’s a lot to love about these wines– they’re pretty and expressive and seamlessly made. Well worth trying if you haven’t already.