Siduri, John Sebastiano Vineyard, Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 2017

“The 2017 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard is pale to medium ruby-purple with a nose of black and red cherries, crushed stone, licorice and cranberry with touches of potpourri and warm earth. The palate is light to medium-bodied with concentrated, energetic spice-laced fruits seamlessly framed by grainy tannins and juicy freshness and finishing long and flavorful. 538 cases produced.”-93WA, 2020-2030

The John Sebastiano Vineyard runs along the eastern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills appellation and, as such, it is in a warmer part of the valley. However, it is also situated on steep slopes that face directly west and into the winds that blow in off the Pacific Ocean. This leads to very small clusters and small berries and more concentrated wines. Siduri’s sections at the John Sebastiano Vineyard are selected to provide them different exposures to the wind, with one section shielded by a small hillside, one section facing into the wind more directly, and one section so steep and exposed that it was considered un-plantable at first (they call that section the doughnut).