94
points
Sanford 1999 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County)
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
Good, rich pure garnet color. Excitingly clean, spicy cherry, beet, oak aromas seamlessly meshing into pure Pinot. Lively in bright, zingy acidity. Long, rich, intense in cherry fruit, rosehip tea, cola, root beer, smoky oak. Vibrant, distinguished, delicious.
— S.H.
(6/1/2005)
94
points
Sanford 1998 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County)
- Editors' Choice
- Online Exclusive
Alcohol: 14.0%. Very forward and fresh, with a young aroma. Tons of red cherries, charry oak, with a fresh, clean, forest-floor scene. Pine needles, spice. Intense sour cherry candy, rhubarb and spice flavors. Very sweet, intense. Clean, long finish, with great racy acids. Beet root. Delicious now-2012.
— S.H.
(6/1/2005)
94
points
Sanford 2002 La Rinconada Vineyard Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)
-
$46
This superior Pinot Noir gives everything the appellation is famous for. Lively acidity makes the wine bright and clean. The flavors are deep and complex, suggesting black cherries, cola, rhubarb, dried leaves, crushed spices and smoky oak. There’s a dusting of fine tannins, the texture is pure silk and velvet, and the finish is dry.
— S.H.
(12/31/2005)
93
points
Sanford 2002 Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir (Santa Barbara County)
-
$43
This is a big, ripe, juicy Pinot, with powerful cherry and blueberry flavors accented with nuances of cola, coffee, cocoa and oak. It’s rich and intricately detailed, and very young, even impertinent. Give it a few years to soften and sweeten. Should improve for five years or more.
— S.H.
(6/1/2005)