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2023 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir

2023 Fiddlestix Vineyard Pinot Noir

Our 2023 Fiddlestix Pinot Noir shows a garnet ruby brick hue, hinting at the wine’s finesse. The nose opens with ...

Our 2023 Fiddlestix Pinot Noir shows a garnet ruby brick hue, hinting at the wine’s finesse. The nose opens with perfumed red cherries jubilee, hibiscus, pomegranate, and subtle rooibos tea, lifted by a delicate savory floral note. The palate is bright, lithe, and energetic, driven by crunchy minerality and texture – a signature of the Calcareous soils – balanced with mouthwatering acidity. Silky tannins create an ethereal mouthfeel, while flavors of raspberry, black cherry, cola nut, and gentle baking spice add depth. Earth-driven hints of crushed clay, terracotta, and a touch of salinity underscore its sense of place, providing a lovely minerality. The finish lingers with notes of toasted hazelnut, subtle tobacco leaf, and warm spice. Overall, this is a vibrant, succulent, mineral-driven Pinot Noir with clarity, lift, and graceful character

750mL13.7
$50.00
$50.00

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Specifications

  • Vintage: 2023
  • Region: Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County
  • ABV: 13.7
  • Varietal: Pinot Noir
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Expert reviews

93 POINTS

“This is broad and deep, with a succulent core of dark, gently steeped blackberry, mulberry and boysenberry flavors. A mouthwatering ripple of singed apple wood runs underneath, while flecks of savory and red tea infuse the finish. A bit muscular in style and well-built. Best from 2027 through 2034.” - James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, May 2026

90 POINTS

“The 2023 Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard is laced with crushed flowers, mint, sweet pipe tobacco and dried cherry. This soft, open-knit Pinot offers plenty of forward appeal in a light to medium-bodied style.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous.com

Winemaker Jon Priest walking between rows of grapevines in a vineyard.

Fiddlestix

The vineyard lies a few miles inland along the Santa Ynez River bench at the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley. Fiddlestix is consistently influenced by Pacific currents but sits low enough against the hills to receive some protection from the area’s strong afternoon winds. Exposure to coastal breezes and fog ensures cooling throughout extended sunny days, which helps add depth and vibrancy to the fruit. Temperatures are rarely above the mid-70s. In 35 small blocks on 96 acres, a variety of rootstocks and clones are planted in well-draining Gazos and Batella clay loam and calcareous marine shale, providing complexity and diversity.

vintage

In 2023, Grace Benoist Ranch, situated in the cool, maritime-swept Carneros region of Sonoma, benefited from a classic growing season defined by moderation and persistence. A wet and cool winter segued into a foggy "June gloom," delaying bud break and pushing veraison late into the season. Throughout summer, temperatures remained mild, with daytime highs generally between the low to mid-70°F range, which allowed fruit to ripen evenly and maintain vibrant natural acidity. Harvest was unusually late; this extended hang time permitted development of excellent flavor and structural depth without loss of finesse. The resulting wines display hallmark traits of Grace Benoist Ranch: clarity of fruit, refined minerality and bright acidity. Age-worthy, they are beautifully balanced - structured yet elegant - with vivid aromatics that reflect the cool-climate precision of this remarkable 2023 vintage.

Winemaker Jon Priest holding up harvested grapes near stainless steel fermentation tanks.

Crafted Excellence

Winemaking

The grapes for this wine were harvested at night to preserve freshness and integrity, then placed in open-top fermenters for 3–5 days of cold maceration followed by fermentation. Punch-downs were performed during the early stages with extraction becoming gentler as the wine became dry. To complete the assemblage, the wine was lightly pressed into small French oak barrels where it rested for 14 months.