January 25, 2012
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Sea Smoke Cellars
| Owner(s) | Bob Davids |
| Web site | www.seasmokecellars.com |
| Link to this site |
Has there been another producer of Pinot Noir in California that has caused as much buzz among Pinot enthusiasts? The emphasis here is on meticulous management of the vineyards using a combination of cutting-edge technology and a highly skilled vineyard team.
The original winemaker was Kris Curran, who also produces Rhone varietals and Sangiovese under her namesake label in Lompoc (she left for Foley Estates in 2008 and was replaced by Don Schroeder formerly of Ampelos Cellars). This proved to be a fortunate hire, for Schroeder has taken the wines in a different direction with slightly less extraction, less ripeness (and consequently slightly less alcohol), and less new oak elevage,
Owner Bob Davids began the development of Sea Smoke Vineyard in 1999 on the south-facing hillsides of the estate situated above Fiddlestix Vineyard in the Santa Rita hills appellation of Santa Barbara County. 10 clones are planted in multiple blocks on the 100-acre estate vineyard (detailed on the website). There are six soil types and elevations from 300 to 700 feet.
Founded in 1999, the first vintage was 2001 and production which in 2004 was 4,700 cases, is expected to reach a maximum annual output of 16,000 cases by 2010. Some grapes are sold to other nearby wineries including Brewer-Clifton and Foxen.
There are three estate bottlings representing a blend of different blocks of the estate vineyard: Southing, Botella and Ten. A Chardonnay is given away to faithful mailing list members. The Sea Smoke lineup of Pinot Noirs are a hot ticket and sold primarily through the mailing list. Allocations are tight and there is a waiting list to get on the mailing list. No tasting. Some fruit is sold to selected producers in the region (Foxen, Hitching Post). 805-737-1620.
Articles About Sea Smoke Cellars
Reviewed Wines
2009 Sea Smoke Southing Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.33, VA 0.67, $52.
·
Moderately deep
reddish-purple hue in the glass. Very reserved nose offering demure aromas of black fruits, oak char and spice
and violets. The black plum, cassis and black cherry fruit has impressive presence on the mid palate,
underscored with appealing earthy, iron and mineral character. The tannins are fine-grain and accommodating
and there is a good cut of acidity in the background. This seductive wine ends with an aromatic whiff of musk
and flowers. Shows an elegance missing from previous Sea Smoke vintages. Very good.
Reviewed November 30, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Sea Smoke Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
14.9% alc., pH 3.42, TA 0.63,
$52.
·
Light straw yellow color in the glass. The nose offers reserved aromas of
honeycomb, lemon pastry, sandalwood and a hint of mocha. Well-endowed with
flavors of lemon curd, baked apple, roasted nuts and toasty oak. Creamy on the
palate with integrated acidity and a dry, citrus-driven finish. Very good.
Reviewed November 30, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Sea Smoke Ten Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.39,
TA 0.67, $80.
·
Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Fresh
and vibrant perfume of purple berry compote, plum reduction sauce and
hibiscus tea, offering displaying more intensity over time in the glass. This
wine offers flavors of blackberries, Hoison sauce in perfect balance with
refined tannins and vital acidity. The purity of the fruit really grabs your
attention as it unfolds in layers across the palate. The mouth feel is velvety, the
oak is beautifully integrated, and there is very impressive length on the fruit-laden
finish and a step up in pleasure from the Southing bottling. Honed to go the
distance in the cellar.
Reviewed November 30, 2011
ARTICLE »
2005 Sea Smoke Southing Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
$54.
·
The wine had been bottled only one month previous and was still a little closed.
Despite this, it was obvious there was terrific stuffing here. The aromatics are very
expressive of ripe fruit, and the tannins are reigned in. This is definitely a large scale,
fruit-powered Pinot Noir that will appeal to lovers of a hedonistic style.
Reviewed July 23, 2007
ARTICLE »
2002 Sea Smoke Southing St. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.1% alc..
·
Dark reddish-purple color in the glass.
Bright aromas of darker berry compote with notes of graham and leaf. Richly endowed with appealing dark
berry fruit, showing an earthy and smoky tone, and lashed with oak and firm tannins. Still holding and should
last several more years but will always be a tannic wine. Good (+).
Reviewed November 30, 2011
ARTICLE »
2002 Sea Smoke Ten Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $ (current secondary market retail prices
from $225 to $300). The inaugural vintage of Sea Smoke Ten which is composed of
all ten clones planted on the Sea Smoke estate. Aged 18 months in 100% new
French oak.
·
Plenty of confected fruit with aggressive oak on the nose. Medium-weighted
dark fruits with hints of raisin and oak. Smooth and soft with fine tannins on
the dry finish. Decent but not exceptional.
Reviewed August 19, 2008
ARTICLE »
2001 Sea Smoke Botella Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.. Inaugural vintage.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple
with slight bricking of the rim. Brooding aromas of prunes, oak, herbs and cardamom spice. Moderately
rich and ponderous with a core of very ripe, roasted dark fruits including black raspberries and black plums.
Noticeable oak tannins with hi-tone acidity on the finish. Meant for earlier drinking and has run its course. Drink up. Decent.
Reviewed November 30, 2011
ARTICLE »
2009 Sea Smoke Southing Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.33, VA 0.67, $52. · Moderately deep reddish-purple hue in the glass. Very reserved nose offering demure aromas of black fruits, oak char and spice and violets. The black plum, cassis and black cherry fruit has impressive presence on the mid palate, underscored with appealing earthy, iron and mineral character. The tannins are fine-grain and accommodating and there is a good cut of acidity in the background. This seductive wine ends with an aromatic whiff of musk and flowers. Shows an elegance missing from previous Sea Smoke vintages. Very good. Reviewed November 30, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Sea Smoke Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay
14.9% alc., pH 3.42, TA 0.63, $52. · Light straw yellow color in the glass. The nose offers reserved aromas of honeycomb, lemon pastry, sandalwood and a hint of mocha. Well-endowed with flavors of lemon curd, baked apple, roasted nuts and toasty oak. Creamy on the palate with integrated acidity and a dry, citrus-driven finish. Very good. Reviewed November 30, 2011 ARTICLE »
2009 Sea Smoke Ten Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.39, TA 0.67, $80. · Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Fresh and vibrant perfume of purple berry compote, plum reduction sauce and hibiscus tea, offering displaying more intensity over time in the glass. This wine offers flavors of blackberries, Hoison sauce in perfect balance with refined tannins and vital acidity. The purity of the fruit really grabs your attention as it unfolds in layers across the palate. The mouth feel is velvety, the oak is beautifully integrated, and there is very impressive length on the fruit-laden finish and a step up in pleasure from the Southing bottling. Honed to go the distance in the cellar. Reviewed November 30, 2011 ARTICLE »
2005 Sea Smoke Southing Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
$54. · The wine had been bottled only one month previous and was still a little closed. Despite this, it was obvious there was terrific stuffing here. The aromatics are very expressive of ripe fruit, and the tannins are reigned in. This is definitely a large scale, fruit-powered Pinot Noir that will appeal to lovers of a hedonistic style. Reviewed July 23, 2007 ARTICLE »
2002 Sea Smoke Southing St. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Bright aromas of darker berry compote with notes of graham and leaf. Richly endowed with appealing dark berry fruit, showing an earthy and smoky tone, and lashed with oak and firm tannins. Still holding and should last several more years but will always be a tannic wine. Good (+). Reviewed November 30, 2011 ARTICLE »
2002 Sea Smoke Ten Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $ (current secondary market retail prices from $225 to $300). The inaugural vintage of Sea Smoke Ten which is composed of all ten clones planted on the Sea Smoke estate. Aged 18 months in 100% new French oak. · Plenty of confected fruit with aggressive oak on the nose. Medium-weighted dark fruits with hints of raisin and oak. Smooth and soft with fine tannins on the dry finish. Decent but not exceptional. Reviewed August 19, 2008 ARTICLE »
2001 Sea Smoke Botella Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.. Inaugural vintage. · Moderately dark reddish-purple with slight bricking of the rim. Brooding aromas of prunes, oak, herbs and cardamom spice. Moderately rich and ponderous with a core of very ripe, roasted dark fruits including black raspberries and black plums. Noticeable oak tannins with hi-tone acidity on the finish. Meant for earlier drinking and has run its course. Drink up. Decent. Reviewed November 30, 2011 ARTICLE »
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