The Hilt Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Estate 2021

93 points Decanter: "Alluring and savoury aromas weave themselves around ripe black cherry, including wet slate, conifer, spearmint, and rose petal. Medium-bodied, giving way to blueberry, very tart cherry, and golden raspberry. Saline minerality floods the mid-palate, and the finish is rife with sea spray. The integrated acidity is relatively high and offers excellent grip Located in an extremely windy corner of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA in Santa Barbara County, The Hilt Estate is situated amidst an expanse of rough hills, jagged peaks and canyons blanketed by cooling fog. Winemaker Matt Dees has his work cut out for him as the windy, foggy conditions create a real struggle to ripen grapes. Still, he's produced balanced and powerfully structured Pinot Noir and Chardonnays year after year. Drinking Window: 2023-2033. (10/24/23)"

93 points Jeb Dunnuck: "Moving to the Pinot Noirs, the 2021 Pinot Noir Estate has a beautiful perfume of candied cherries, fresh cut flowers, savory herbs, and subtle marine nuances. It's medium-bodied, has rocking purity, integrated acidity, and a great finish. It's a beautiful appellation release with serious character. (8/30/23)"

92 points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "The 2021 Pinot Noir Estate is gorgeous. A wine of depth and substance, the Estate is also wonderfully complex right out of the gate. Dried cherry, rose petal, mint, cedar and dried herbs all race across the palate in this wonderfully layered, expressive Pinot Noir. All the elements are so well balanced. The differences between Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at The Hilt in 2021 are perfectly encapsulated in the two Estate bottlings. Drink: 2023-2031. (Sep 2023)"