Bentrock Vineyard Pinot Noir
Inviting nose of dried strawberry, white pepper and mint. Characteristic notes of blood orange, smoke and thyme arrive with a few minutes in the glass. Seductive and supple on the palate with a texture reminiscent of ripe wild blackberries. Creamy and generous. For all of its bright, red boisterous fruit, it remains true to The Hilt and specifically to Bentrock Vineyard with an undercurrent of dark and brooding flavors, a pronounced silky texture and a long, fresh and chalky finish. The wine that made us absolute believers in the potential for Pinot Noir at Bentrock.
95 Points Antonio Galloni Vinous Sept. 2019
The 2017 Pinot Noir Bentrock is bright, focused and nervous in feel, as wines from this site at the western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills often are. Chalk, white pepper, mint, blood orange and mint add brilliant top notes to this super-expressive, distinctive Pinot from The Hilt.
95 Points Jeb Dunnuck jebdunnuck.com Oct. 2019 A new release, the 2017 Pinot Noir Bentrock Vineyard comes from a north-facing bench in the western part of the Sta. Rita Hills. Deep ruby/purple-hued with notes of caramelized cherries, candied violets, orange blossom, and toasty oak, it hits the palate with medium to full-bodied richness, ripe, rounded tannins, beautiful purity, and the class and balance that's the hallmark of this estate. This is a big, rich, textured beauty to drink over the coming decade.
BENTROCK VINEYARD PINOT NOIR
STA. RITA HILLS 2017
CASES: 50
APPELLATION: Sta. Rita Hills
CLONAL SELECTION: Dijon and Heritage
ALCOHOL: 13.2%
BARRELS: 20% New French oak, 80% neutral Franch oak for 12 months