2022 Racines Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard

97 POINTS: This Pinot Noir, from three parcels within the historic Sanford & Benedict Vineyard, includes a small fermentation from the original own-rooted vines planted in 1971 by Richard Sanford, making it a study of Santa Barbara's wine history. Its bright garnet colour and lifted floral aromatics allude to a lighter wine, but on the palate this wine offers a more structured, chewy tannin profile than other Racines bottlings. Earth-driven notes of moss and rich sous-bois are layered with wintergreen aromatics, wild strawberry, dark cherry, and hints of orange pekoe and black tea. A wine of impressive depth and nuance, it promises graceful ageing for years to come.