2022 Domaine de la Côte DDLC Estate Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills

Intense aromas of green peppercorn, rosemary and pine needle show the stemmy strategy of this brand, pairing intriguingly with the tomato and cranberry elements. The palate is awash in dank and bitter herbs that complement the raspberry and strawberry flavors.

95 points wineenthusiast.com

Domaine de la Côte DDLC Estate Pinot Noir is a vivid, site-composed expression of the Sta. Rita Hills, bringing together fruit from all six organically farmed estate vineyards perched along the windswept, ocean-facing slopes of the western Santa Ynez Valley. Crafted by Rajat Parr and Sashi Moorman, the DDLC Estate Pinot is a pure, vibrant and finely textured wine that distills the tension, elegance and saline energy of this cool-climate coastal region into a single bottle.

The fruit is hand-harvested, fermented with native yeasts, and aged in neutral French oak barrels for around 12 to 14 months. Whole cluster inclusion is typically significant, enhancing the wine’s aromatic complexity and structural grip, while the absence of new oak preserves the vineyard expression and transparency of fruit.

In the glass, it opens with lifted aromas of wild strawberry, red plum, rose petal, dried herbs and coastal scrub. The palate is medium bodied and precise, showing crunchy red berries, tea leaf, wet stone and a fine mineral backbone. There’s both perfume and restraint here — the wine feels taut, savoury and refreshingly unadorned, with a long, pure finish.

Food pairing: excellent with grilled salmon, roast duck with fennel, mushroom and lentil ragout, or a beetroot and goat cheese tart. Also pairs beautifully with washed rind cheeses or a simple charcuterie plate.

Cellar potential: enjoyable now for its clarity and energy, but will evolve beautifully over the next 8 to 12 years, developing more earthy nuance and gentle spice.