Vineyard: Bent Rock

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Many Exceptional Pinot Noirs Reviewed (10.28 4/2/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay & Outliers (9.43 7/19/2014)
Recent Sips of Chardonnay (9.40 4/17/2014)
Recent Sips of Chardonnay (10.6 3/15/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted Wines (9.38 2/22/2014)
Recent Sips of Pinot Noir & A Few Whites (10.7 4/6/2015)
A Dozen California Wineries Offer Holiday Cheer (11.14 12/3/2017)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Wren Hop Vineyards
Velvet Bee
Pali Wine Co.
Dragonette Cellars
Liquid Farm

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2014 Velvet Bee Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.53% al.c, pH 3.53-3.78, 194 cases, $38. Released November 1, 2017. Sourced from Bentrock Vineyard (667, 25%), La Encantada Vineyard (777 and 115, 31%) and Rancho La Viña (115, 31%). Harvest Brix 23.0º-24.3º. · Moderate ruby red color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of dark berries and nutty oak. Light to mid weight in style, with engaging flavors of red and black berries. Nicely balanced with a supportive oak thread and some envious cherry fruit on the modestly long finish. Score: 88. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Pali Wine Co. Huntington Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., 3,861 cases, $22.50, screwcap. Sourced from Lucas & Lewellyn, Bent Rock, Radian and Pence Ranch vineyards. Aged 12 months in 100% French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. A cherry-driven wine with added notes of raspberry and cola in a middleweight style with well-integrated tannins. The fruit is luscious and very satisfying, finishing with some intensity. Oak shows up in the background over time in the glass. Score: 89. Reviewed April 5, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Velvet Bee Bentrock Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.94% alc., 196 cases, pH 3.59, TA 0.542, $38. Released November 1, 2017. Clones 667 and “828.” Harvest Brix 25.1º. Aged 24 months in French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Very shy aromas initially of dark fruits and nutty oak. Mid weight flavors of dark red and black fruits with a touch of spice. Quite forward, with soft tannins, bright acidity and complimentary oak in the background. Much better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle with more aromatic and fruit expression and finishing generosity. Score: 89. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Wren Hop Vineyards “Architects & Saboteurs" Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

pH 3.65, 160 cases, $78. Sourced from Bent Rock Vineyard, clones 777 and 115. The vineyard is but a few miles of the Pacific Ocean and has a major maritime influence allowing slow ripening. Aged 14 months in 100% new French oak barrels. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Deep, haunting aromas of blackberry, cassis, oak spice and cigar humidor. A mid weight plus array of dark fruits are enchanting and delicious. The tannins are soothing, the texture is refined and the mild oak notes of tobacco and toast are gratifying. This wine has the most extraction of the three wines tasted here, but the acidity keeps the wine nimble. Even better when tasted later in the day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. A bodacious charmer. Pull the cork, put the dog out, find your spouse, turn off all distractions, dim the lights, and engage in some Pinot heaven. Score: 94. Reviewed April 2, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Pali “Huntington” Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 9,218 cases, $22.50. Aged 10 months in 25% new French oak barrels. Sourced from 6 vineyards including Riverbench, Lucas & Lewellen, Bentrock, Radian, Presq’uile and Pence Ranch. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. A very ripe, exuberant wine displaying aromas of blackberry jam, plum, balsam and oak spice and full-bodied flavors of black and purple fruits with a hint of raisin and oak. A pleasant, fruity wine with no special sense of place. Score: 86. Reviewed February 22, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Pali “Summit” Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 2,434 cases, $29. Aged 10 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Sourced from Bentrock, Radian, Fiddlestix, and Rancho La Vina vineyards. · Dark violet in color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of black raspberry infusion, blackberry tart and spice. Bold and assertive in a modern California style with decadent layers of sappy black raspberry and blackberry fruit. Velvety on the palate with balanced tannins and some finishing intensity. Score: 87. Reviewed February 22, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Liquid Farm “White Hill” Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

13.8% alc., 988 cases, $40. Sourced from Bent Rock (63%), Zotovich, Kessler-Haak, Rita’s Crown, Huber, Radian and Clos Pepe vineyards. Aged 12 months in neutral oak with 18% stainless steel aging. · Pale golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon, pineapple, peach, vanilla cream and ocean air. Highly pleasurable on the palate, with crisp lemon-driven flavor accented with baking spice, vanillin, and acid-driven minerality. Modest in weight with a fresh, citrusladen finish. Score: 91. Reviewed April 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Liquid Farm White Hill Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

13.8% alc., 988 cases, $40. 63% Bentrock, 16% Zotovich, 8% Rita’s Crown, 6% Huber, 4% Clos Pepe, 3% Radian, and 1% Kessler-Haak vineyards. A homage to Chablis-styled Old World Chardonnay. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of white peach, apple, citrus peel, nut oils and smoky oak. Slightly creamy, with an array of flavors including lemon pie, apple, pear, toffee and fleur-de-sel. Less boisterous than many California Chardonnays, but very pleasing, with a good riff of underlying acidity, and a satisfying lemon drop finish. Score: 92. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Dragonette Cellars Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 875 cases, $44. A blend of several vineyards including John Sebastiano (60%), Fiddlestix, La Encantada, Zotovich, Radian, and Bent Rock. Clones 113, 114, 115, 667, “828,” 777 and Pommard 4. 92% de-stemmed, 4 to 7-day cold soak, native and commercial yeasts. Aged 15 months on lees in 18% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. High-spirited aromas of blackberry, cassis, toasty oak and a hint of spice. Mid to full-bodied, oak-kissed array of dark fruits with integrated tannins and some finishing intensity. Showy and satisfying, and a solid everyday wine, albeit a bit too much oak sheen for me. Score: 89. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »