From the winery:
A brooding and fruit forward version of Bentrock with blackberry and black cherry and creme de cassis. Leads with an attack of luxardo cherry with cedar, menthol and a hint of black plum skin. Explosive burst of pure mulberry followed by classic notes of blood orange. Expansive and surprisingly elegant. Long note of English Breakfast tea. A very powerful example from this site. Showcasing the warmth from early October with its powerful yet polished depth of dark fruit. Characteristic Bentrock finish with fine grained tannins that will gracefully reward time in the cellar. Perfect ratio of fruit to freshness to structural integrity. Nothing is out of place here.
97 points for Cristaldi:
Featuring a majority of destemmed Calera plant material, the 2023 Pinot Noir Bentrock Vineyard showcases how particularly well-suited this clone is to this portion of the Sta. Rita Hills. It emerges from the glass with a dark, brooding bouquet of dark fruit compote, nori and warming spice tones, accompanied by a savory backdrop that slowly gains traction with aeration. The palate is densely concentrated yet remains impressively vibrant and lifted, culminating in a flashy yet controlled finish that swells with refined tannins and quenching acidity threaded with additional savory notes. The seamless integration of structure, salinity and minerality here is enviable and should propel it well into its second decade. Drink 2026-2036.
