Sea Smoke 2021 Ten Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Sea Smoke 2021 Ten Pinot Noir – Sta. Rita Hills, California
96 Points Decanter • 92 Points Vinous • 92 Points Wine Spectator
The Sea Smoke 2021 Ten Pinot Noir is a powerful, beautifully structured estate-grown Pinot Noir from the prestigious Sta. Rita Hills appellation in Santa Barbara County, California. Produced by the acclaimed Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard, this exceptional wine showcases the richness, depth and distinctive cool-climate character that have made Sea Smoke one of California's most sought-after Pinot Noir producers.
The outstanding 2021 vintage opens with captivating aromas of black cherry, ripe fig, tuberose and jasmine, complemented by layers of savory spices and dark fruit. The palate is rich and beautifully concentrated, delivering luscious black cherry, floral complexity and subtle earthy undertones. Firm, mature tannins provide impressive structure and aging potential, while a long, velvety finish creates a sophisticated and memorable Pinot Noir.
Crafted from hand-harvested estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes, the wine undergoes meticulous sorting, gentle destemming and a five-day cold soak before fermentation in open-top tanks. Following 16–28 days of maceration and gentle pressing, the wine is transferred to barrels and ultimately bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving its natural intensity, texture and complexity. Compared with Sea Smoke's elegant Southing bottling, Ten offers a darker, more powerful and structured expression of the estate's exceptional terroir.
Wine Details
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Producer: Sea Smoke
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Vintage: 2021
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Wine: Ten Pinot Noir
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Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills AVA
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Region: Santa Barbara County, California
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Vineyard: Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard
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Grape Variety: Pinot Noir
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Fermentation: Open-top fermenters with five-day cold soak
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Maceration: 16–28 days
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Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered
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Style: Powerful, rich, structured and velvety
Tasting Notes: Black cherry, ripe fig, tuberose, jasmine and savory spices. Rich and concentrated with firm, mature tannins, floral complexity and a long, velvety finish.
Food Pairing: Excellent with roasted duck, grilled lamb chops, braised short ribs, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, wild mushroom risotto and aged cheeses.
Cellaring: Enjoy now with decanting to reveal its layered fruit and savory complexity, or cellar under proper conditions to allow its firm tannins to soften and develop additional depth.
Critical Acclaim
96 Points Decanter • 92 Points Vinous • 92 Points Wine Spectator
Decanter praised the wine's violet aromatics, sandalwood, concentrated fruit and mineral-driven structure, highlighting its impressive balance and aging potential. Vinous noted its ripe berry fruit, tobacco, chalk and cedar complexity, while Wine Spectator emphasized dark cherry, boysenberry, black tea and savory spice.
Additional Verified Wine Details
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Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir, sourced from ten Pinot Noir clones
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Aging: 16 months in French oak barrels, 68% new
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Alcohol: Approximately 14.5%–14.6% ABV, depending on published source
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Drinking Window: Decanter recommends 2024–2040
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