Sanford, Sanford & Benedict Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills

Medium ruby red in color with bricking & clearing at the edges. Full, forward, & fragrant nose of mature, ripe fruits aromas of cherries & cranberries with overtones of dusty/earthy & some floral notes, minerals, leather, tobacco & an ever so slight hint of sous bois in the background. Medium bodied with a good concentration of balanced & smooth textured, mature, ripe fruit flavors of cherries & cranberries with mushrooms, minerals & a slight hint of oak. Lingering smooth finish. …

A "May-December" Themed Tasting (Los Olivos, CA) : A joy to drink, from an emotional perspective alone, but at age 25, this pristine piece of Sta. Rita Hills history actually had a lot to say, with a gentle, perfumed nose and muted red fruit, not quite prominent enough to hold the acid in check. I detected additional notes of cinnamon and old leaves. Served blind to my guests after a pair of Grand Cru Burgundy, I was surprised that no …

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Sanford & Benedict is one of the grand cru vineyards of California and I was fortunate to find a 1979 bottle by Sanford & Benedict. The color is fully red bricked over at this point. The nose features synthetic notes, a little remaining black fruit, and black pepper on the nose. On the palate, red cherry kirsch is still shining through. This bottle has seen better days, but it is like drinking history.

Probably my last bottle. Elegant subtle cherry notes. Not expecting this goodness from a 39 year old bottle.

Bricked medium red color; mature, tobacco, dried cranberry nose; firm ly structured yet, tobacco, dried cranberry, mineral palate with medium acidity; medium-plus finish (past its prime; reminiscent of Williams Selyem Pinot Noir from a similar vintage)

At S&F survey of older Pinot Noir. Not real good. Somewhat washed out. Dried out in nose and mouth. 4-6-5-2: 67/100.