The Hilt by Jonata Estate Pinot Noir 2023
(Santa Rita Hills, California) - [JS 95] [JD 93] [WA 92]

About the Winery:
From the same proprietors as Jonata, The Hilt was founded in 2008 as a separate winery focusing on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the Santa Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley. In 2014, the Rancho Salsipuedes estate was purchased and a new, permanent home for The Hilt was found. Outside of Salsipuedes, The Hilt also sources old-vine fruit from the marled soils of Sanford and Benedict and the loamy sandy soils of Solomon Hills in the Santa Maria Valley.

Winemaker Matt Dees is very much in charge of the entire process, from vine to bottle. He's passionate about the rugged terrains and an enthusiast of the art of blending. As of 2014, he abolished the use of herbicides and pesticides in Rancho Salsipuedes and established his own farming parameters for the vineyards. 

About this Wine:
The Pinot Noir is sourced from the most unique terroir of the Sta Rita Hills, the North-facing slope of the Santa Rosa road corridor. This hallowed ground, from west to east, includes some of the most important vineyards of the appellation: Radian and Bentrock. The vines age ranges between 8 and 44 years old and grows predominately on Diatomatious earth and loamy sand. Once harvested, the wine is cold-soaked for an average of 3 days and fermented 15% whole-cluster. It then ages for 10 months in 228L French Oak barrels, approximately 30% new, 70% neutral.

Tasting Notes:
"Bursting with black and red fruit that swirls around an exotic and lifted combination of spices. Green nori and savory notes. Cacao and cinnamon alongside dried porcini and pancetta. Sweet tobacco and black cherry. Like all of the beautiful 2023 wines, this is full of juicy and hydrated fruit. Hibiscus tea. Expansive and generous across the palate. Ripe red raspberry and tart black plum. Texturally silky and suave. Structurally fine and finessed. Long finish driven by plush dark fruit and dusty loam notes. All of the expressions from our diverse estate showing off their proud voices from a legendary vintage. It highlights the black, red, and green. Power and elegance. Push and pull. Tense and voluptuous. Captivating." - Matt Dees, Winemaker

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - James Suckling:
"A deep well of minerality and crunchiness marries forest fruit, plums and mixed cherries, showing star anise and seaweed through the saline finish. Unfurls with expressiveness and length. Drink or hold." (Aug 2025)

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck:
"Vivid ruby/plum-hued and semi-opaque, the 2023 Pinot Noir Hilt Estate offers beautiful black raspberries, sappy, minty flowers, and spicy wood. It's medium-bodied, has a pure, layered mouthfeel, ripe tannins, and a great finish. This strikes a good balance between richness and elegance and has solid tannins and outstanding length. Drink 2025-2033." (Sep 2025)

92 Points - Wine Advocate:
"The 2023 Estate Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is a high-fidelity overview of three of the region's leading sites, composed around fruit from Radian, with Bentrock and Sanford & Benedict playing supporting roles. Classy and refined on the nose, a dark-fruited, herbal and nimble bouquet is followed by a suave, rich palate that retains vibrancy and striking clarity through the long, soaring finish." - Matthew Luczy (Nov 2025)

91+ Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2023 Pinot Noir Estate consists of 56% Radian, 24% Bentrock and 20% Sanford & Benedict. It's a deep, layered wine but the overall impression is a little quiet today. Reticent dark fruit, leather, cedar and tobacco make for a brooding, inward wine with lots of structure and power. Time should help soften the edges and release some of the 2023's inner tension." - Billy Norris (Aug 2025)