L'usine 2018 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills
L’Usine 2018 Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills is a richly expressive, classic California Pinot pairing vivid red fruit with earthy complexity. With nuanced aromas of cherries, pomegranate, and figs, it delivers both texture and finesse. A wine for those who enjoy Pinot Noir with personality — ready now but also with ability to age for several more years.
Key Specs & Origins
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Producer | L’Usine Winery (David “Dave” Phinney) |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Varietal | 100% Pinot Noir |
| AVA / Region | Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California, USA |
| Alcohol | ~15.2% ABV |
| Oak / Aging | French oak barrels, ~40% new; around 9 months barrel aging; lees touch; hand-harvested fruit; cold soak before fermentation; extended maceration on skins |
Tasting Profile
| Element | Notes |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Pale to medium ruby-purple with a hint of blush at the rim; shows clarity and bright color. |
| Nose / Aroma | Fresh pomegranate seeds; strawberry gelato; fig leaf; red berry perfume; vanilla crème; hints of wild sage and wild herbs. |
| Palate / Taste | Layers of strawberry preserves, red currant, rhubarb crisp; more dark fruit like mulberries and Bing cherries; spice including pepper, hints of dried sage; balanced oak tannins; subtle chocolate and vanilla from oak; lively acidity giving freshness. |
| Finish | Long and fragrant; fine-grained tannins; earth / herbal notes; pepper / lemon/brine edges; elegant persistence. |
Critic Scores & Recognition
| Source | Score / Rating |
|---|---|
| Robert Parker | 94 Points |
| Wine Enthusiast | 93 Points |
What Makes It Special
-
Terroir Expression: Santa Rita Hills is a cool-coastal AVA; the fog, marine influence, and soils allow Pinot to retain bright fruit and freshness while developing complexity.
-
Winemaking Craft: Hand-harvested, cold soaked, use of ~40% new French oak, careful skin contact during fermentation—all these contribute to layered flavor without overwhelming oak.
-
Power + Elegance Balance: Though relatively high in alcohol (~15.2%), the wine manages to balance richness with acidity and herbal/earthy undertones. It isn’t shy.
Strengths & Potential Considerations
Strengths
-
Great for those who like bold, fruit-driven Pinot with character—cherries, berries, herbs, oak, spice.
-
Strong aromatics and finish that make it enjoyable both on its own and with food.
-
Good aging potential: can be enjoyed now with decanting but likely to improve further over next 5-7 years.
Things to Keep in Mind
-
The oak and alcohol may overshadow delicate fruit for those preferring lighter, more subtle or ultra-cool climate Pinot.
-
Price point is premium; pairing thoughtfully or decanting helps get the most value.
-
It’s expressive and bold—so unlikely to be considered subtle or minimalist Pinot.
Suggested Pairings & Serving
-
Decant lightly (~30-40 minutes) to help aromas open up.
-
Serve in Burgundy Pinot glasses to highlight perfume. Temperature ~15-17 °C (59-63 °F).
-
Pair with duck breast, mushroom risotto, pork loin with berry compote, cherry sauce; also roast chicken with herbs; mélange of earthy vegetarian dishes.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
L'usine 2018 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills
L'usine 2018 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills
L’Usine 2018 Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills is a richly expressive, classic California Pinot pairing vivid red fruit with earthy complexity. With nuanced aromas of cherries, pomegranate, and figs, it delivers both texture and finesse. A wine for those who enjoy Pinot Noir with personality — ready now but also with ability to age for several more years.
Key Specs & Origins
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Producer | L’Usine Winery (David “Dave” Phinney) |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Varietal | 100% Pinot Noir |
| AVA / Region | Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California, USA |
| Alcohol | ~15.2% ABV |
| Oak / Aging | French oak barrels, ~40% new; around 9 months barrel aging; lees touch; hand-harvested fruit; cold soak before fermentation; extended maceration on skins |
Tasting Profile
| Element | Notes |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Pale to medium ruby-purple with a hint of blush at the rim; shows clarity and bright color. |
| Nose / Aroma | Fresh pomegranate seeds; strawberry gelato; fig leaf; red berry perfume; vanilla crème; hints of wild sage and wild herbs. |
| Palate / Taste | Layers of strawberry preserves, red currant, rhubarb crisp; more dark fruit like mulberries and Bing cherries; spice including pepper, hints of dried sage; balanced oak tannins; subtle chocolate and vanilla from oak; lively acidity giving freshness. |
| Finish | Long and fragrant; fine-grained tannins; earth / herbal notes; pepper / lemon/brine edges; elegant persistence. |
Critic Scores & Recognition
| Source | Score / Rating |
|---|---|
| Robert Parker | 94 Points |
| Wine Enthusiast | 93 Points |
What Makes It Special
-
Terroir Expression: Santa Rita Hills is a cool-coastal AVA; the fog, marine influence, and soils allow Pinot to retain bright fruit and freshness while developing complexity.
-
Winemaking Craft: Hand-harvested, cold soaked, use of ~40% new French oak, careful skin contact during fermentation—all these contribute to layered flavor without overwhelming oak.
-
Power + Elegance Balance: Though relatively high in alcohol (~15.2%), the wine manages to balance richness with acidity and herbal/earthy undertones. It isn’t shy.
Strengths & Potential Considerations
Strengths
-
Great for those who like bold, fruit-driven Pinot with character—cherries, berries, herbs, oak, spice.
-
Strong aromatics and finish that make it enjoyable both on its own and with food.
-
Good aging potential: can be enjoyed now with decanting but likely to improve further over next 5-7 years.
Things to Keep in Mind
-
The oak and alcohol may overshadow delicate fruit for those preferring lighter, more subtle or ultra-cool climate Pinot.
-
Price point is premium; pairing thoughtfully or decanting helps get the most value.
-
It’s expressive and bold—so unlikely to be considered subtle or minimalist Pinot.
Suggested Pairings & Serving
-
Decant lightly (~30-40 minutes) to help aromas open up.
-
Serve in Burgundy Pinot glasses to highlight perfume. Temperature ~15-17 °C (59-63 °F).
-
Pair with duck breast, mushroom risotto, pork loin with berry compote, cherry sauce; also roast chicken with herbs; mélange of earthy vegetarian dishes.
Product Information
Product Information
Shipping & Returns
Shipping & Returns
Description
L’Usine 2018 Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills is a richly expressive, classic California Pinot pairing vivid red fruit with earthy complexity. With nuanced aromas of cherries, pomegranate, and figs, it delivers both texture and finesse. A wine for those who enjoy Pinot Noir with personality — ready now but also with ability to age for several more years.
Key Specs & Origins
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Producer | L’Usine Winery (David “Dave” Phinney) |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Varietal | 100% Pinot Noir |
| AVA / Region | Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California, USA |
| Alcohol | ~15.2% ABV |
| Oak / Aging | French oak barrels, ~40% new; around 9 months barrel aging; lees touch; hand-harvested fruit; cold soak before fermentation; extended maceration on skins |
Tasting Profile
| Element | Notes |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Pale to medium ruby-purple with a hint of blush at the rim; shows clarity and bright color. |
| Nose / Aroma | Fresh pomegranate seeds; strawberry gelato; fig leaf; red berry perfume; vanilla crème; hints of wild sage and wild herbs. |
| Palate / Taste | Layers of strawberry preserves, red currant, rhubarb crisp; more dark fruit like mulberries and Bing cherries; spice including pepper, hints of dried sage; balanced oak tannins; subtle chocolate and vanilla from oak; lively acidity giving freshness. |
| Finish | Long and fragrant; fine-grained tannins; earth / herbal notes; pepper / lemon/brine edges; elegant persistence. |
Critic Scores & Recognition
| Source | Score / Rating |
|---|---|
| Robert Parker | 94 Points |
| Wine Enthusiast | 93 Points |
What Makes It Special
-
Terroir Expression: Santa Rita Hills is a cool-coastal AVA; the fog, marine influence, and soils allow Pinot to retain bright fruit and freshness while developing complexity.
-
Winemaking Craft: Hand-harvested, cold soaked, use of ~40% new French oak, careful skin contact during fermentation—all these contribute to layered flavor without overwhelming oak.
-
Power + Elegance Balance: Though relatively high in alcohol (~15.2%), the wine manages to balance richness with acidity and herbal/earthy undertones. It isn’t shy.
Strengths & Potential Considerations
Strengths
-
Great for those who like bold, fruit-driven Pinot with character—cherries, berries, herbs, oak, spice.
-
Strong aromatics and finish that make it enjoyable both on its own and with food.
-
Good aging potential: can be enjoyed now with decanting but likely to improve further over next 5-7 years.
Things to Keep in Mind
-
The oak and alcohol may overshadow delicate fruit for those preferring lighter, more subtle or ultra-cool climate Pinot.
-
Price point is premium; pairing thoughtfully or decanting helps get the most value.
-
It’s expressive and bold—so unlikely to be considered subtle or minimalist Pinot.
Suggested Pairings & Serving
-
Decant lightly (~30-40 minutes) to help aromas open up.
-
Serve in Burgundy Pinot glasses to highlight perfume. Temperature ~15-17 °C (59-63 °F).
-
Pair with duck breast, mushroom risotto, pork loin with berry compote, cherry sauce; also roast chicken with herbs; mélange of earthy vegetarian dishes.
