Vineyard: Rancho La Veña

AppellationSta. Rita Hills
VarietiesPinot Noir

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2017 Loring Wine Company Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.72, 400 cases, $29, screw cap. Sourced from Rancho La Viña, Kessler-Haak and Sierra Madre vineyards. Clones 113, 115, 667 and 777. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 15% new. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Subdued aromas of dark fruits, tea leaves and char. Very ripe and sweet black cherry, blackberry and black raspberry fruit flavors. Mouth filling extraction with soft tannins and good fruit intensity on the finish. The texture is plush and seductive but the wine does not have the vibrancy of the Cooper Jaxon. Score: 88. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2017 Loring Wine Company Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.65, 400 cases, $38, screw cap. Sourced from rosella’s, Sierra Mar, Boekenoogen and Ranch La Viña vineyards. Clones 115, 667, 23 and Pisoni. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 15% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black fruits and pipe smoke lead to an abundance of dark red and black fruits that caress the palate. Nicely composed with a deft touch of oak and good harmony, finishing with impressive purpose. Score: 91. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2017 Say When Wine RASI Rancho La Viña Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 200 cases, $45, screw cap. Aged 10 months in 1 to 4-year-old French oak barrels. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of red cherry, sandalwood and burnt tobacco lead to a mid weight styled wine with flavors of red cherry and red berry. Elegant in demeanor with flavors of grape, black cherry and tobacco framed by gracious tannins. A hint of nutty oak plies the background. The wine displayed a little more fruit intensity when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 89. Reviewed February 3, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2017 Loring Wine Company Rancho La Viña Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.68, 200 cases, $54, screw cap. Clones 115, 667 and 777. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 15% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Seductive aromas of blueberry, blackberry and BBQ spice rub. Long in the mouth and finish with a perfectly ripened core of black cherry, black raspberry and blackberry fruit embellished with a dash of spice. Sleek in texture, refined in character, with a strikingly long finish. Score: 94. Reviewed February 23, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Ken Brown Ranch La Viña Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.55, $50. This 17-acre vineyard was planted in 2005 at the far western edge of the AVA where it is exposed to cool marine winds. The block for Ken Brown Wines is planted to clone 115. 100% de-stemmed, pre-fermentation cold soak, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Pleasant aromas of dark red berry, spice, underbrush, nutty oak and graham. Packed with red and dark red cherry and cranberry fruits aligned with a touch oak. Soft and lustrous in the mouth with a notably long and mellow finish. Score: 92. Reviewed October 12, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Loring Wine Company Rancho La Viña Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., pH 3.75, 300 cases, $54, screwcap. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is rather primary, with delicate aromas of raisin, black fruits and marzipan. The fruit pushes the ripeness envelope, veering to a roasted character omnipresent in this mid weight plus styled wine that is fruit-driven and lacking nuance. A thread of nutty oak plies the background, the tannins are well integrated, and the finish is of modest length. I found the wine still too ripe flavored for my liking the following day when tasted from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 86. Reviewed October 30, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Wedell Cellars Sta. Rita Hills Rosé of Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 12 cases, $12. Harvest Brix 24.5º. A saignée from 14 vineyard blocks and clones from four vineyards that the winery sources grapes from: Fiddlestix, Sanford & Benedict, La Encantada and Rancho La Vina. Fermented in neutral French oak barrels for 2 weeks, then aged on lees in these barrels for 15 months. 100% malolactic fermentation. Gently filtered. All proceeds from sale of this wine go to breast cancer charity. · Moderate pinkish orange color in the glass. Pungent, with some volatile acidity initially, becoming more pleasing over time in the glass offering aromas of peach, pastry cream and roasted nuts. Soft and smooth on the palate, with flavors of red berry, pomegranate, blood orange and strawberry, finishing with a lift of acidity. Score: 87. Reviewed October 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Velvet Bee Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.53% al.c, pH 3.53-3.78, 194 cases, $38. Released November 1, 2017. Sourced from Bentrock Vineyard (667, 25%), La Encantada Vineyard (777 and 115, 31%) and Rancho La Viña (115, 31%). Harvest Brix 23.0º-24.3º. · Moderate ruby red color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of dark berries and nutty oak. Light to mid weight in style, with engaging flavors of red and black berries. Nicely balanced with a supportive oak thread and some envious cherry fruit on the modestly long finish. Score: 88. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 RASI 3 Barrels Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $42. A blend of fruit from Kessler-Haak, Clos Pepe and Rancho La Viña vineyards produced by the assistant winemaker, Rachel Silkowski, at Loring Wine Company. Second vintage. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish, this wine sports flamboyant aromas of black cherry, spice and tobacco oak, and delicious flavors of perfectly ripened black cherry and black raspberry fruits clothed in fine grain tannins. Generous on the attack, then building in intensity on the palate, and offering an extended finish with deft integration of oak. This wine really stands out. Score: 93. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Loring Wine Company Rancho La Viña Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., pH 3.70, 200 cases, $50. Release February 2016. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but appealing aromas of darker berries, rose petal and subtle toast. A mid weight wine driven by a charge of sweet black raspberry and plum fruit that is accented with a note of spice and green tea. The leather-like texture is of interest, the tannins are well integrated, and there is some length on the finish that leaves behind a slight bit of alcoholic warmth. Score: 89. Reviewed December 12, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Pali Wine Co. Summit Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

15.3% alc., 2,460 cases, $29, screwcap. Bent Rock, Radian, Rancho La Vina and Huber vineyards. Small lot fermentations. Aged 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, spice, potpourri, smoke and toast. Tasty mid weight flavors of spiced black cherry with noticeable oak overlay. Intensely fruity, but still nimble and easy to drink. Score: 88. Reviewed April 5, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Pali Wine Co. Rancho la Viña Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 131 cases, $58. Bottled April 2015. This vineyard is located on the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Wine grapes share the ranch with cattle, walnuts, vegetables and various fruit trees. Clones 667, 115 and 777. Aged 16 months in 100% French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Fresh and lively aromas of cherry, strawberry, spice and sandalwood. A flirty wine with plenty of charming elegance that is easy to cozy up to, featuring mid weight juicy flavors of cherry and strawberry fruits framed by lacy tannins and a bright acid spine, finishing long and generous. Score: 92. Reviewed September 18, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Pali “Summit” Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 2,434 cases, $29. Aged 10 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Sourced from Bentrock, Radian, Fiddlestix, and Rancho La Vina vineyards. · Dark violet in color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of black raspberry infusion, blackberry tart and spice. Bold and assertive in a modern California style with decadent layers of sappy black raspberry and blackberry fruit. Velvety on the palate with balanced tannins and some finishing intensity. Score: 87. Reviewed February 22, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Seagrape Rancho La Vina Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., $40. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of crushed wild berries, spice and loam. Very appealing flavors of red berries, cherries and savory herbs with a spicy note showing up on the generous finish. The tannins are tucked in, and the wine delivers an easy-going, velvety and elegant drinking experience. Score: 92-94. Reviewed April 4, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Pali Wine Co. Rancho La Viña Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 279 cases, $56. Clone 115. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. I was really attracted to the nose which offered seductive aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, anise and vanilla. Very open and satisfying with a smooth, suave texture and a juicy finish. Tasty flavors of purple fruits are featured brought to life by generous acidity. Finishes with a good kick of acid and a modest tug of oak. Score: 90. Reviewed August 15, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Seagrape Wine Co. Rancho La Viña Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 25 cases $34. · From a vineyard located at the southern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. Medium reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose offers a mash of darker berries with a hint of oak and spice. Moderately light and elegant in style, with flavors of deep red strawberries, raspberries and blackberries. Very smooth on the palate. Nicely crafted and nothing to detract, but lacks a bit of flavor intensity and finishing strength. Could pick up heft with more time in the bottle. Good. Reviewed July 23, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Pali Wine Co. Rancho La Viña Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

15.7% alc., 100 cases, $54, screw cap. · Dark and inky purple in color. Brooding and dull on the nose with demure aromas of black fruits. Fullbodied array of black Pinot fruits include black currants and raisin wrapped in muscular, dry tannins, finishing short and hollow. Powerful, fruit-driven and Syrah-like, lacking in seductive pinotosity. Decent. Reviewed July 23, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Samsara Rancho La Viña Vineyards Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., 120 cases, $46. · Darkly colored in the glass. Some reduction on the nose with aromas of black berries, earth, charred oak and campfire. Full-bodied core of purple fruit in a burly, husky style finishing with black grape fruit and astringent tannins. A little softer in the mouth the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with less oak on the nose indicating the wine will benefit from more time in bottle. Decent. Reviewed January 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »