Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir 2023
Full-bodied dry red wine · Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard
Vintage: 2023
Type
Full-bodied dry red wine
Producer
Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard
Country
United States
Vintage
2023
Region & Appellation
Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California
Grape Varieties
100% Pinot Noir, featuring various Dijon clones chosen for complexity and structural depth
Color & Appearance
Deep ruby-purple core with bright garnet highlights, medium-deep intensity, clear and brilliant with moderate to slow-moving legs indicating a rich extract
Aroma Profile
Intense bouquet featuring aromas of dark cherry, ripe black raspberry, and wild strawberry, complemented by secondary notes of damp earth, forest floor, subtle baking spices, and elegant French oak nuances of vanilla and cedar
Tasting Notes
A powerful yet balanced Pinot Noir opening with lush red and dark berry fruit on the entry. The mid-palate reveals layers of savory spices, cola, and earthy undertones with a velvety texture. It finishes long and lingering with vibrant acidity framing the rich fruit core
Flavor Profile
Dominated by concentrated black cherry, boysenberry, and pomegranate fruit, layered with non-fruit flavors of crushed rock, dried herbs, dark chocolate, and subtle oak-driven spice that evolves gracefully from attack to finish
Body & Texture
Full-bodied for a Pinot Noir with a rich, velvety, and luxurious mouthfeel, excellent concentration, and high dry extract that coats the palate without feeling heavy
Acidity & Tannins
Medium-plus, refreshing acidity that cuts through the rich fruit profile, balanced by firm yet fine-grained, ripe tannins that provide wonderful structural integrity and ageworthiness
Sweetness Level
Bone dry with zero detectable residual sugar, balanced by ripe, sweet-fruited extract
Alcohol Content
Approximately 14.5% ABV, contributing to the wine's warmth, generous weight, and velvety body
Aging & Oak
Aged for approximately 14 to 16 months in French oak barrels, with a significant percentage of new oak, imparting subtle toast, vanilla, and spice notes while respecting the purity of the fruit
Food Pairings
Ideal with pan-seared duck breast, roasted pork tenderloin with cherry reduction, grilled lamb chops, mushroom risotto, or earthy cheeses like aged Gruyère and Comté
Serving Suggestions
Serve at 60-65°F in a wide-bowled Burgundy glass. Decant for 30 to 60 minutes prior to serving to open up the complex aromatics. Drink now or hold through maturity
Price Range
80 to 120 USD
Quality Assessment
Estimated score of 93-95 points, representing a luxury-tier cult California Pinot Noir known for its remarkable consistency, depth, and power
Production Methods
Hand-harvested at optimal ripeness, rigorous sorting, destemmed with a percentage of whole clusters depending on the block, fermented with native and cultured yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks, and gently pressed
Terroir
Steep south-facing hillside estate vineyards on marine sedimentary and clay soils, cooled significantly by the signature fog layer rolling off the Pacific Ocean into the Santa Ynez Valley
History & Heritage
Founded by Bob Davids in 1999, Sea Smoke quickly established itself as a benchmark producer for ultra-premium, cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA
Interesting Facts
The estate gets its name from the characteristic maritime fog, known locally as 'sea smoke,' that burns off each afternoon, protecting the grapes from excessive heat and preserving vibrant acidity
Cellaring Potential
Excellent cellaring potential, drinking beautifully upon release but structured to evolve gracefully over the next 10 to 15 years in proper cellar conditions
Similar Wines
Kosta Browne Pinot Noir, Beaux Frères Pinot Noir, Williams Selyem Pinot Noir, and Paul Lato Pinot Noir