The Hilt Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 Red Wine

The Hilt Radian Vineyard Pinot Noir 2023 

Sta. Rita Hills, CA

750 ml

98 pts. James Suckling:

"So much energy and salt, anchoring forest fruit, boysenberries and crushed violets against a tug of earth. Mineral, filigreed and refined, this is capable of aging for decades yet provides tremendous short-term pleasure. Drink or hold."

97 pts. Wine Advocate:

"Within a remarkable set of wines, the 2023 Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard gets my nod as the most multidimensional wine in The Hilt's portfolio. While several wines in the lineup display oceanic, kelp and nori-like aromas, none render them with the exceptional purity and vivid nature displayed here. The palate continues this purity, combining outrageous density with a spry, silken texture, seamlessly slingshotting into a vibrant, staining and succulent finish that lingers endlessly, thanks to extraordinarily refined tannins and the site's ubiquitous soaring salinity. This is a reference point for the region and one that I am tremendously excited to follow in the cellar. Drink: 2026-2038."

96 pts. Jeb Dunnuck:

"Similar ruby/purple-hued, the 2023 Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard displays a slightly darker fruit profile, with black cherries, red plums, and framboise intermixed with chalky minerality, pepper, and graphite. Picking up a floral edge with time in the glass, it's rich and medium to full-bodied on the palate, has a beautifully layered mouthfeel, and ripe tannins. It's another smoking good effort from this team that will shine over the coming decade. Drink: 2025-2035"

The ratings speak for themselves on this wonderful Pinot! The Hilt has done a fabulous job with the grapes from this famous Sta. Rita Hills vineyard. An incredibly gorgeous wine! - Wine Factor

FROM THE WINERY

Radian is a visually remarkable vineyard, its diverse topography spanning nearly 1000 feet of elevation, and is often described as being “more like a ski resort” than a vineyard. The upper blocks of Radian sit on the ridge that forms the southern boundary of the Sta Rita Hills. These blocks are referred to as the “moon blocks,” and are planted to Pinot Noir on pale white diatomaceous soils, so light that it’s common to sink up your knees when wading through the rows. Farther down the slope, the soil fades to black clay high in silica and converges to a dramatic center spanning several hundred feet of elevation forming what is called the “pinot bowl.” 

Winemaker Notes:

As always, this vineyard creates wines that are aromatic showstoppers. This wine is effusive with leather, black cherry, cured meat and fresh shaved black truffle. White pepper, olive tapenade and clove. Profound wine with tapestry of black fruit that surrounds the authentic and consistent dusting of Radian DE tannins. Ultrafine and dusty, these tannins linger and create a wonderful savory effect. Chicory and cured meat. Rose petal, blackberry and violets. As with the other finest vintages from this hallowed site, I could smell this wine all day. It shifts and changes color in the glass and reveals an ever-expanding panoply of exotic and mouthwatering nuances. - Matt Dees

APPELLATION: Sta.Rita Hills

VINE AGE: 16 years

ALCOHOL: 14.1%

BLOCKS: Lieu Dits- 40%, Little Volcano (cl.667), 20% Mountain Spring (cl.777), 20% Terre Blanche (cl. 667), 20% The Chute (cl. 667)

BARREL REGIME: 90% neutral French oak barrels and 10% new French oak barrels for 12 months. Bottled early to capture energy.

CASES: 563