Seeking a cool-climate California Pinot Noir with balance, plush textures, and gorgeous red fruit purity? The 2021 Alma Rosa "Rancho La Viña Vineyard" Pinot Noir is hitting its absolute stride with four years of perfect bottle age. This standout bottling commands a staggering 95-96 point press from James Suckling, Decanter, and Wine Enthusiast, checking every single box for enthusiasts who demand pristine varietal focus, exceptional regional pedigree, and immediate gratification in the glass.

Rancho La Viña commands a true "Grand Cru" neighborhood on the cooler western corridor of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. It is directly sandwiched between the historic Sanford & Benedict Vineyard and the iconic La Encantada site, harvested from 16-year-old vines transitioning into organic farming. These small, concentrated berries yield a deeper, more brooder expression of Pinot Noir that coats the palate with luxurious layers of black plum and dark, brambly fruit. Bottled unfined and unfiltered after aging in 50% new French oak, it delivers a striking combination of velvety muscle and bright coastal energy—an effort that California Pinot fanatics will absolutely grovel for.

The pedigree here is deeply woven into the legacy of Richard Sanford, the founding father of the Sta. Rita Hills. After identifying the region’s unique transverse mountain range and planting its pioneering Pinot Noir vines in 1971, Sanford went on to shape the appellation's modern identity. He eventually sold his namesake winery to establish Alma Rosa, seeking out the absolute finest terroirs the valley had to offer. Though he stepped back in 2014, he still resides on the estate property, a living testament to a lifetime of unrivaled terroir knowledge. No one understands this land better, and Alma Rosa continues to knock it out of the park with his foundational vision.

Cheers and taste well!

Critical Acclaim:

96 Points, James Suckling:

“Lovely perfumes of flowers, orange peel and red berries. It’s medium-bodied with a pretty core of fruit and a persistent finish of fruit and orange peel. Polished and plush tannins. Drink or hold.”

95 Points, Decanter Magazine:

“Fruit from two blocks of the Rancho La Viña vineyard. Whimsical aromatics of smoky violets, soy and a tangy black bramble berry fruit finish with notes of fresh wintergreen. Alluring black tea leaf, aged balsamic and burning ember smokiness envelope ripe red and black berries, the finish is a melange of smoked sea salt, grilled blood orange and desert sage. Simply stunning.”

95 Points, Wine Enthusiast:

“Winemaker Samra Morris is crafting very rich and spicy Pinot Noirs, and they're immediately gratifying. Intense aromas of black cherry, candied plum, cinnamon, mace and clove entice the nose into the glass. The palate follows in bold but elegantly layered fashion, presenting Christmas spice and warm-cookie flavors atop the reduced plum and berry sauce core. Drink up while the ripeness remains fresh.”