Sea Smoke 2023 Southing Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
Sea Smoke 2023 Southing Pinot Noir – Sta. Rita Hills, California
97 Points Wine Enthusiast • 95 Points James Suckling • 95 Points Wilfred Wong • 93+ Points Vinous
The Sea Smoke 2023 Southing Pinot Noir is an elegant, beautifully crafted estate-grown Pinot Noir from the prestigious Sta. Rita Hills appellation in Santa Barbara County, California. Sourced from the renowned Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard, this exceptional wine captures the refinement, complexity and distinctive cool-climate character that have made Sea Smoke one of California's most sought-after Pinot Noir producers.
The outstanding 2023 vintage opens with captivating aromas of fresh red currant, wild strawberry and rose petals, complemented by delicate notes of dried fruit, fennel seed, clove and nutmeg. The palate is beautifully balanced, delivering vibrant Rainier cherry, tart cranberry, savory herbs and subtle juniper. Fine-grained tannins, refreshing acidity and refined minerality create an elegant texture, leading to a long, graceful finish with beautifully integrated oak spice.
Crafted from 100% hand-harvested estate-grown Pinot Noir grapes, the wine undergoes meticulous sorting, gentle destemming and a cold soak before fermentation in open-top tanks. Aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, 42% new, the wine develops additional complexity while preserving the purity and freshness of its fruit. The result is a sophisticated expression of Sea Smoke's celebrated estate vineyard, offering both immediate enjoyment and excellent aging potential.
Wine Details
-
Producer: Sea Smoke
-
Vintage: 2023
-
Wine: Southing Pinot Noir
-
Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills AVA
-
Region: Santa Barbara County, California
-
Vineyard: Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard
-
Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
-
Bottle Size: 750mL
-
Aging: 16 months in French oak barrels, 42% new
-
Fermentation: Open-top fermenters following cold soaking
-
Style: Elegant, refined, silky and mineral-driven
Tasting Notes: Red currant, wild strawberry, rose petals, Rainier cherry, tart cranberry, fennel seed, clove, nutmeg and subtle juniper. Fine tannins, vibrant acidity and a long, mineral-driven finish.
Food Pairing: Excellent with roasted duck breast, herb-crusted rack of lamb, mushroom ragout, roasted chicken, grilled salmon and aged Comté or Gruyère.
Cellaring: Enjoy now with brief decanting for its expressive fruit and elegant texture, or cellar under proper conditions for approximately 10–15 years to develop additional savory and earthy complexity.
Wine Enthusiast awarded the 2023 Southing 97 points and a Cellar Selection designation, highlighting its raspberry, cranberry, violet and cherry character. James Suckling praised its energetic acidity, woodland spice and mineral complexity, while Wilfred Wong emphasized its delicate red fruit and elegant finish.
More Biggest Savings
Biggest savings on exceptional wines — limited inventory, no restocks.
Angwin Estate 2020 Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
You save $60.00 (46%)
Score: 95 pts
Sojourn Cellars 2018 Beckstoffer Georges III Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
You save $45.00 (32%)
Score: 94 pts
Tassi 2017 Colombaiolo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Tuscany, Italy
You save $50.00 (32%)
Score: 95 pts
Tassi 2019 Bruno Toscana Rosso IGT – Tuscany, Italy
You save $20.00 (31%)
Score: 99 pts
Tassi 2016 Colombaiolo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG – Tuscany, Italy
You save $46.00 (30%)
Score: 94 pts
Isola delle Falcole 2019 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione DOCG
You save $34.00 (27%)
Score: 95 pts
Yacoubian-Hobbs 2018 Areni - Vayots Dzor, Armenia
You save $5.01 (20%)
Score: 94 pts
Il Poggiolo 2017 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
You save $20.00 (31%)
J. Charpentier Comte de Chenizot Brut NV – Champagne, France
You save $30.00 (30%)
J. Charpentier Blanc de Blancs Brut NV – Champagne, France
You save $20.00 (25%)
Score: 95 pts
La Jota 2018 W.S. Keyes Vineyard Napa Valley Chardonnay
You save $25.00 (25%)
Score: 95 pts
Mt. Brave 2013 Mount Veeder Napa Valley Malbec
You save $16.00 (20%)
Score: 95 pts
Mt. Brave 2016 Mount Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
You save $19.00 (20%)
Score: 95 pts
Mt. Brave 2017 Mount Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
You save $18.00 (20%)
Score: 92 pts
Pastourelle de Clerc Milon 2021 Pauillac Bordeaux France
You save $10.00 (26%)
Score: 92 pts
Château Les Carmes Haut-Brion 2017 Le C des Carmes Pessac-Léognan Bordeaux France
You save $20.00 (40%)
Score: 95 pts
Chateau Cantelys 2016 Pessac-Leognan Bordeaux France
You save $10.00 (31%)
Score: 92 pts
Chateau Les Grands Chenes 2015 Medoc Bordeaux France
You save $7.00 (26%)
Score: 92 pts
Chateau Les Grands Chenes 2016 Medoc Bordeaux France
You save $5.00 (20%)
Score: 93 pts
Chateau Les Grands Chenes 2018 Medoc Bordeaux France
You save $5.00 (20%)
WILLIAMS SELYEM 2018 Papera Russian River Valley Zinfandel
You save $18.00 (20%)
We Buy Opportunistically
Importer overstock, vintage changes, label updates, and distributor closeouts.
We Price Transparently
Every wine shows our price compared to national retail pricing.
You Save 20–35%
Exceptional wines at real market discounts.
