2022 Sea Smoke Ten Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills

If there’s one name in American Pinot Noir that wine lovers can’t stop talking about, it’s Sea Smoke. This winery is the gold standard, the superstar, the bottle everyone dreams of owning. The 2022 Sea Smoke Ten Pinot Noir is no ordinary wine—it’s pure magic in a glass.

Sea Smoke’s estate vineyard is in Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills, one of the best places in the world for growing Pinot Noir. The vineyard sits on sunny, south-facing slopes and gets cooled every afternoon by a layer of Pacific Ocean fog, known as 'sea smoke.' This perfect mix of sun and cool air lets the grapes ripen slowly, creating bold flavors and silky-smooth tannins.

Sea Smoke’s legacy owes much to its visionary founder, Bob Davids, and the exceptional talents of winemaker Don Schroeder. Bob Davids, who established the estate in 1999, envisioned creating world-class Pinot Noir in Santa Barbara’s Santa Rita Hills, and his dream has become a reality. Don Schroeder, formerly of Ampelos Cellars, has taken the helm, crafting wines that balance richness and elegance with meticulous care. Together, their dedication and expertise have cemented Sea Smoke as a name that defines excellence in American Pinot Noir.

Sea Smoke has been a legend since its very first vintage in 2001, earning a place on Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list and winning over critics and collectors. It’s not easy to get your hands on a bottle, and every release is highly limited and sold primarily to a lucky few on their mailing list.

Why is it called "Ten"? The name celebrates the ten different Pinot Noir clones planted at the vineyard. Every vine is cared for by hand, and the team farms organically and biodynamically to protect the land and make the wines as pure as possible. This attention to detail is why Sea Smoke is one of the most sought-after wineries in the world.

Aging: 16 months Exclusively French Oak—56% New Barrels.

100% Pinot Noir. (Ten Clones, from which the wine takes its name) A brooding and intense wine. The aromas begin with notes of blueberry, cassis, a hint of lavender followed by a myriad of exotic spices, some hazelnut, thyme and an element of licorice. Firm, mature tannins—evidence of Ten’s ageability—are followed by a long, velvety finish.

Aromas of violet and burnt sandlewood lend a seductive, perfumed tone to this richly concentrated Pinot. Compared to the producer's fresh-fruited Southing, the Ten embraces Pinot's stateliness, muscularity and grip. A richly extracted yet fine, chiseled wine anchored by bristling streaks of acidity and a tonic mineral undertow. Hints of singed vanilla and char point to 16 months maturation in French oak (68% new) but it's a profoundly elegant, seamlessly balanced wine with a finish marked by fine, firm tannins. Ready now but will continue to improve for another decade and hold further still. ~96 Decanter (v.2021)

Aromas of dark strawberries, ripe strawberries, crushed stone, iron and dried tile dust. Turns to light chocolate. Full-bodied and layered with lots of ripe strawberries, but it remains juicy and savory. Flavorful finish. Plenty of fruit but energetic and racy. Drink or hold. ~97 JS (v.2020)

Candied strawberry and raspberry aromas are spiced up by cinnamon, sumac and peppercorn on the lively, complex and alluring nose of this bottling from the region's iconic winery. The palate is fresh and juicy with strawberry sorbet, rosewater and white pepper flavors, proving both hedonistic and detailed. ~96 WE (v.2020)

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