Pinot Noir Southing 2020

SEA SMOKE

Pinot Noir Southing
2020

  • Organic
  • Biodynamic
Country
United States
Regulated designation
American Viticultural Areas (AVA)
Region
California
Subregion
Santa Barbara, Santa Rita Hills
Varietal(s)
Pinot Noir 100 %
Colour
Red
Producer's website

About this winery

All of Sea Smoke’s grapes come from a rugged, foggy (or “sea smoky”) vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills region of Santa Barbara County. From these grapes, the Sea Smoke team creates two beautiful Pinot Noirs: Southing and Ten as well as Chardonnay and a 100% Pinot Noir méthode champenoise sparkling wine called Sea Spray. The Sea Smoke vineyard is planted with 10 different clones of Pinot Noir as well as Chardonnay spread across 39 hectares, creating many combinations of soil, clone and...

See the SEA SMOKE detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

Southing refers to the south-facing hillside bluffs found on our estate vineyard. Each year, our goal for this wine is to create the ideal marriage of complexity and elegance. Southing is a true expression of the terroir of Sea Smoke Vineyard: seductive flavors and fine tannins complimented by cool climate acidity.

Production notes

Hand-harvested, clusters were sorted in the vineyard and then gently destemmed following an evening in our cold room. All ‘jack stems’ were removed on the sorting table. Musts were cold soaked in open-top fermenters for five days, and then inoculated with cultured yeasts to begin slow fermentation. Each tank was manually punched down two times per day, with a total maceration time of fourteen to eighteen days. Upon completion of primary fermentation and maceration, all free run wine was transferred to tank for settling and then pressed at extremely low pressure (0.08 bars) to avoid extracting bitterness. After settling overnight both free-run and press wines were racked to barrels. Southing was bottled with no fining and no filtration.

Tasting notes

Each year, our goal for Southing is to create the ideal marriage of complexity and elegance. The ever-changing nose of the Southing exhibits Montmorency cherry, sage, hibiscus and subtle baking spices. The fine tannins and minerality are enhanced by our estate vineyard’s characteristic cool climate acidity.

Press reviews

Decanter

- 97 points -

December 2023 (Vintage 2021)

Intensely ripe but pristine black cherry and plum notes are kissed with glimmers of brandy and cigar leaf in this concentrated yet brightly composed Pinot Noir. It's a powerful, gorgeously juicy mouthful with a heft and unctuousness that's pleasing, but sharply balanced too, taut with a quivering vein of cranberry acidity and layers of stone and earth that unfurl on the palate. Tannins are fine but persistent. It's delightful in youth but should improve for the next decade and hold longer still.

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James Suckling

- 94 points -

April 2023 (Vintage 2020)

Aromas of blueberries with wrought iron and metal shavings with some sliced strawberries with white tops. Full to medium body. Firm tannins and fresh acidity. Racy. Narrow.

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