The Hilt Estate
About The Hilt Estate
The region of Santa Barbara, and specifically, the Sta. Rita Hills Valley rivals Sonoma as the finest place to grown cool-climate Pinot Noir in California. With Santa Barbara only reaching a maximum temperature of 28°C last year, it is the coolest wine-growing area in the state of California making conditions ideal for this classically Burgundian varietal.
With its home in this very area, The Hilt was founded by Stan Kroenke, who also owns the world-famous Screaming Eagle and Bonneau du Martray, in 2008 with a mission to produce the finest Pinot Noir possible.
The unobstructed, ocean-facing east-west valley known as Sta. Rita Hills Valley is a complex AVA. One could divide it into four quadrants: northern-facing, southern-facing, close to the ocean, and further inland from the ocean. With such a frame, The Hilt’s favourite vineyards are in the northern-facing, closest to the ocean, windswept quadrant where conditions are at their harshest - these sites are the worst place for a grape grower, but the best for a winemaker safe in the winery!
Rancho Salsipuedes, where The Hilt is based, provides vineyards planted on land nearly 13 unobstructed miles from the ocean on the west. This unique, large and sprawling property offers a range of altitudes, aspects, soil types, and microclimates, giving winemaker Matt Dees a patchwork of vineyard parcels from which to select grapes and create wines with distinctive styles.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€756.23 |
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California | 1 | 95 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€857.58 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (95)Spiced orchard fruits, dried pineapple, toasted bread, and beautiful spicy nuances emerge from the 2018 Chardonnay Bentrock Vineyard, a slightly more generous, rounded beauty that has good concentration, plenty of acidity, and a great finish. It's going to impress over the coming decade. |
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California | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,081.67 |
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James Suckling (97)This is a fantastic chardonnay with sliced green-apple, cooked-apple, nougat and slate aromas. Some dried chili, too. Medium-bodied palate that grows full and tangy, with a vibrant finish of candied lemons and sliced limes. Salty and intense. Unique. Drink or hold. |
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California | 4 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€971.62 |
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James Suckling (97)Plenty of lightly salted caramel with tarte tatin and apple crumble, but ever so subtle. Dried flowers. Delicate toffee. Full-bodied with an intensity of fruit and caramel, along with some crushed stone at the same time. Tangy aftertaste. Drink or hold. |
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California | 2 | 94 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€716.87 |
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James Suckling (94)This has lots of verve and brightness, with sliced green apple and pear, as well as matchstick. It’s medium-bodied with tangy acidity. Creamy texture and an intense finish. Drink now. |
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California | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,829.74 |
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California | 3 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,871.74 |
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California | 2 | 93 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€956.84 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (93)The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate is equally brilliant, offering a vivid ruby/purple hue as well as loads of raspberry and tart cherry fruits, notes of violets and spice, medium-bodied richness, silky tannins, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming 4-5 years. I suspect it will keep even longer. |
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California | 1 | 93 (JD) |
Inc. TAX
€684.78 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (93)The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate is equally brilliant, offering a vivid ruby/purple hue as well as loads of raspberry and tart cherry fruits, notes of violets and spice, medium-bodied richness, silky tannins, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming 4-5 years. I suspect it will keep even longer. |
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California | 2 | 93 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€582.47 |
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James Suckling (93)Hibiscus with oranges, walnuts and white pepper on the nose. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a fresh, vivid finish. Linear and spicy at the end with cloves and white pepper. Drink or hold. |
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
1 | - |
In Bond
€608.00 |
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California | 1 | 95 (JD) |
In Bond
€696.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (95)Spiced orchard fruits, dried pineapple, toasted bread, and beautiful spicy nuances emerge from the 2018 Chardonnay Bentrock Vineyard, a slightly more generous, rounded beauty that has good concentration, plenty of acidity, and a great finish. It's going to impress over the coming decade. |
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|
California | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
€879.00 |
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James Suckling (97)This is a fantastic chardonnay with sliced green-apple, cooked-apple, nougat and slate aromas. Some dried chili, too. Medium-bodied palate that grows full and tangy, with a vibrant finish of candied lemons and sliced limes. Salty and intense. Unique. Drink or hold. |
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|
California | 4 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
€791.00 |
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James Suckling (97)Plenty of lightly salted caramel with tarte tatin and apple crumble, but ever so subtle. Dried flowers. Delicate toffee. Full-bodied with an intensity of fruit and caramel, along with some crushed stone at the same time. Tangy aftertaste. Drink or hold. |
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|
California | 2 | 94 (JS) |
In Bond
€575.00 |
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James Suckling (94)This has lots of verve and brightness, with sliced green apple and pear, as well as matchstick. It’s medium-bodied with tangy acidity. Creamy texture and an intense finish. Drink now. |
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California | 1 | - |
In Bond
€1,480.00 |
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California | 3 | - |
In Bond
€1,515.00 |
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California | 2 | 93 (JD) |
In Bond
€760.00 |
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Jeb Dunnuck (93)The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate is equally brilliant, offering a vivid ruby/purple hue as well as loads of raspberry and tart cherry fruits, notes of violets and spice, medium-bodied richness, silky tannins, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming 4-5 years. I suspect it will keep even longer. |
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|
California | 1 | 93 (JD) |
In Bond
€552.00 |
|||||
Jeb Dunnuck (93)The 2018 Pinot Noir Estate is equally brilliant, offering a vivid ruby/purple hue as well as loads of raspberry and tart cherry fruits, notes of violets and spice, medium-bodied richness, silky tannins, and a great finish. Drink it any time over the coming 4-5 years. I suspect it will keep even longer. |
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|
California | 2 | 93 (JS) |
In Bond
€463.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (93)Hibiscus with oranges, walnuts and white pepper on the nose. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit and a fresh, vivid finish. Linear and spicy at the end with cloves and white pepper. Drink or hold. |