2015 The Hilt Vanguard Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills

The 2015 Pinot Noir Vanguard is a stunningly beautiful, dramatic wine endowed with massive flavor intensity and sheer richness, featuring inky blue/purplish fruit, menthol, licorice and spice. There is not much subtlety here, and yet this wine is simply glorious. Fruit sources are Sanford & Benedict, Radian and Bentrock.

95 Points Antonio Galloni vinous.com Jun 2017 Drink 2020-2030

So much wild black fruit. Plum and blackberry. High toned and pure. Tons of flesh, but also so muscular. Smokey and resinous with air. Hints of black licorice, mint, dried sage and even dried chorizo. Texturally fascinating wine. A statuesque wine full of fruit density, chalky tannins and vibrancy. A wine with high shoulders and great posture.

Serious pinot noir that is just getting started. Just spreading its wings. Density, fruit purity and long lasting tannic structure.

 Matt Dees, Winemaker