Dragonette 2021 PInot Noir “Radian” Santa Barbara – 97 Points

Jeb Dunnuck 97 Points: “From a great terroir on the western side of the Sta. Rita Hills, the 2021 Pinot Noir Radian Vineyard has a semi-opaque ruby hue as well as a terrific nose of mulled black cherries, scorched earth, toasted spice, and savory herbs. With tons of salty, mineral nuances on the palate, it’s medium to full-bodied, has perfectly integrated acidity, ripe tannins, and outstanding length. It’s one of my favorites in the lineup from Dragonette in 2021. This benefits from air and will ideally be given 2-3 years of bottle age. It will have 15+ years of overall longevity.”

James Suckling 96 Points: “Tight, very focused and structured, with forest-floor, cherry, dried-strawberry, and spice character. Medium-bodied with a solid core of fruit. Yet, it’s reserved and so focused. Real. Drink or hold.”

Winemaker Notes: “The 2021 Radian Pinot Noir is deep and complex, with a dark red fruit profile (some black cherries and red plums, with raspberry liqueur, pomegranate) with leafy rhubarb and forest floor notes, a streak of granite and minerals, and a good solid backbone of fine tannins. Texturally, the wine is graceful despite the fruit’s power due to citrus and mineral-laced acidity. It is a worthy successor to the 2020 vintage, which was lauded as a “wonderful wine” and given 97 points by James Suckling. “

Vineyard: The Radian Vineyard is located at the far western edge of the Sta. Rita Hills on dramatically steep slopes with large amounts of diatomaceous earth. Radian is extreme, regularly blanketed by fog and buffeted by high winds. The vines here struggle to set fruit, and the resulting yields are extremely low, but the grapes are highly concentrated. The resulting wines are lean and intense, with a fascinating mineral streak and a remarkable depth of flavor even at low alcohol levels.

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