Vineyard: Rita's Crown

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Recent Sips of Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.27 7/21/2018)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir (10.24 1/17/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay & Outliers (9.43 7/19/2014)
Recent Sips of Chardonnay (9.40 4/17/2014)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.21 11/22/2015)
Recent Sips of Chardonnay (10.6 3/15/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted Chardonnay (10.21 11/22/2015)
Sips of Recently Tasted Sonoma County Pinot Noir (10.31 6/5/2016)
Winemaker Ken Brown: Veteran Still On His Game (9.33 11/9/2013)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.13 11/12/2017)
Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.32 10/12/2018)
Final California Wine Reviews of 2016 (10.44 12/13/2016)
Recently Tasted Glorious Chardonnays (11.14 12/3/2017)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Ken Brown Wines
Bevan Cellars
Sant Wines
Sweetzer Cellars
WALT Wines
Byron Vineyard & Winery
Velvet Bee
Liquid Farm

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Ken Brown Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.58, 336 cases, $60. Rita’s Crown is one of the highest vineyards in the region planted at the “crown” at 600 to 950 feet elevation. The combination of shallow soils ocean winds and southern slope results in in marked intensity of fruit flavor. Blocks used are planted to 667, 777, “828,” and 115. 100% de-stemmed, pre-fermentation cold soak, gentle punch downs, aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 34% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose offers a mix of purple and black berry fruits along with a savory oak and vegetative bent. Plenty of swagger in a mid weight plus style offering a charge of boysenberry and blackberry fruits that are issed by spice, black olive tapenade, umami, oak and earth notes. Plenty of extract and nuance to please with juicy acidity and tame tannins. Score: 92. Reviewed October 12, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Velvet Bee Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

14.45% alc., 84 cases, $28. Released November 1, 2017. Dijon clone 76. Harvest Brix 22.4º. Barrel fermented, malolactic fermentation. · Moderately light golden yellow color and apparently unfiltered. Aromas of apple, citrus, slate and salty air emerge on the nose with resolve. Modest creaminess in the mouth, with flavors of lemon, topical fruits (passion fruit) and caramel. Quite sophisticated in a poised, fresh and seamless style. The mouthfeel is particularly appealing. Score: 92. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Sweetzer Cellars Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 529 cases, pH 3.59, TA 0.59, $35. Sourced from Presqu’ile, La Encantada, and Rita’s Crown vineyards. Clones 115, 667, 777, and “828.” 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native and RC212 fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Red cherry and berry aromas and flavors are featured in this lighter weighted wine that is simple and forward. Oak vanillin shows up as a backdrop. Easy going tannins emerge with some astringency on the finish. Score: 87. Reviewed July 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Ken Brown Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.54, 279 cases, $60. One of the highest vineyards in region at 600-950 feet elevation planted in 2007. Shallow soils, abundant ocean breezes and southern slope. Clones 777, “828,” 115, and 667.100% de-stemmed, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, spice, clay and fertile earth lead to a mid weight plus assortment of purple and black berry fruit flavors. Earthy, with toasted oak in the background. The finish is notable for its eager persistence. Score: 91. Reviewed November 12, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Sweetzer Cellars Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 148 cases, pH 3.62, TA 0.61, $60. Clones 667 and “828.” 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, native and RC212 fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Engaging aromas of black cherry, fertile earth and toasty oak lead to a middleweight wine boasting a delicious core of cherry and strawberry fruit. Silky in the mouth, with gentle tannins and a seriously long finish. There is a little more oak interplay than I like, but the fruit is so luscious, that is easy to overlook. Score: 92. Reviewed July 21, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Byron Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., 295 cases, $65. Clone “828.” Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 46% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry and subtle oak leave a good impression. Mid weight flavors of dark red cherries and berries with a very appealing expression of cherry fruit, especially on the finish. The tannins are silky, there is good acidity, and the oak offers subtle seasoning. A highly respectable wine that can be enjoyed now but will last in the cellar. Score: 93. Reviewed December 13, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Bevan Cellars Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., $75. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose offers a shy assemblage of dark fruits backed by toasty oak and the slightest hint of volatile acidity. Full-bodied on the palate, with flavors of black raspberry, blackberry and cassis. The mouthfeel is plush and velvety, the oak is deftly integrated, and the fruit-driven finish satisfies. Still shy aromatically the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, with the velvety texture and glorious fruit still impressive. Score: 91. Reviewed June 5, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Velvet Bee Rita’s Crown and Radian Vineyards Star. Rita Hills Chardonnay

13.94% alc., 201 cases, $28. Released November 1, 2015. 64% Rita’s Crown Vineyard (Dijon 76) and 36% Radian Vineyard (Dijon 95). Rita’s Crown: stainless steel ferment, no malolactic fermentation. Radian: French oak barrel fermented, 20% new, 100% malolactic fermentation.Harvest Brix 22.6º (Rita’s Crown) and 25.0º (Radian). · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of citrus, clay, white flower blossom, stony resolve and a hint of nuttiness. Some richness on the palate with refreshing core of citrus, yellow apple, lychee, and caramel flavors with background notes of nuts and salinity. Clean and balanced with a satiny texture. Score: 90. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Ken Brown Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.68, TA 0.61, 416 cases, $45. 36% Radian Vineyard, 32% Rio Vista Vineyard, 21% Buona Terra Vineyard, and 11% Rita’s Crown Vineyard. 100% destemmed, pre-fermentation cold soak, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 32% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose reminds of walking in a recently cultivated field with aromas of earth and mushroom, and a bit of dark cherry and black raspberry. A step up in fruit intensity from the Santa Barbara County bottling, featuring flavors of purple and black fruits and a hint of iron. There is deft oak treatment, the tannins and acidity are well proportioned, and the juicy finish really satisfies. A well composed appellation wine. Score: 90. Reviewed November 22, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Sant Wines Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.45, TA 0.69, $47. Sourced from La Encantada and Rita’s Crown vineyards. Clones 115, 667 and 777. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Difficult to coax much from the nose other than woodland scents. Mid weight cherry, red grape and earthy flora flavors backed by soft tannins and bright acidity. Pleasant, with delicate, aromatic cherry on the demure finish. Score: 88. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Sant Wines “Buena Aventura” Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

13.4% alc., pH 3.43, TA 0.72, $50. Sourced from La Encantada and Rita’s Crown vineyards. 115 and Pommard clones. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The black cherry fruit on the nose seems ripe, even stewed, along with an aroma of brown apple and dried herbs. Flavors of purple berries, grape and cherry with a note of nutty oak in a ripely flavored, modestly concentrated style with zippy acidity. Score: 88. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Ken Brown Rita’s Crown Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.56, 323 cases, $60. This is one of the highest elevation vineyards in the region at 600 to 950 feet. The soils are shallow and the vines are exposed to coastal fog and ocean winds. Planted in 2007, it has quickly become one of the most highly regarded vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Clones 667, 777 and “828.” · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Soaring perfume with an array of dark fruits including black cherry and black raspberry, with a hint of spice and rose petal. Flat-out delicious mid weight plus core of black raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors matched to balanced tannins and juicy acidity. The mid palate attack is eye opening, the seductive mouthfeel is velvety, and the richly endowed finish leaves an impression. A very classy offering from one of Central California’s winemaking icons, and one of the best Pinots I have had from this region in 2015. Score: 94. Reviewed November 22, 2015 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 WALT Rita’s Crown Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 825 cases, $65. Released January 2014. Native yeast fermentation, aged in 60% new French oak. Unfined and unfiltered. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. The nose smells of oak and spice with little to no fruit. Bombastic purple fruits with sculpted, firm tannins. Rather monotone, entering stronger than it exits. The fruit is still buried in fruit and tannins. The plush, velvety texture is a highlight. Score: 88. Reviewed July 19, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Ken Brown Rita’s Crown Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Chardonnay

14.3% alc., pH 3.37, TA 0.64, 67 cases, $42. Inaugural bottling from this vineyard, one of the newest in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA (planted in 2007). One of the highest planted vineyards at 600 to 950 feet in the AVA. Soils are sandy loam with ancient seashell deposits. Dijon clone 76. Whole cluster pressed, 100% barrel fermented with 70% malolactic fermentation, and aged sur lie for 11 months in 17% new French oak barrels. · Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Attractive aromas of white peach, lemon curd and iron are replicated on the palate. The French oak is beautifully integrated offering the slightest hint of vanilla and toast. The wine is smoothly textured in the mouth and slightly viscous, with vibrant underlying acidity and some persistence of juicy green apple on the finish. Very classy. Score: 92. Reviewed November 9, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »