Sante Arcangeli Pinot Noir Integrato Santa Cruz Mountains 2024

“Made with restaurants in mind, the 2024 Pinot Noir Integrato is a cuvée of some of the producer’s favorite vineyards, many of them their own vineyard-designate bottlings, from Saveria (46%) and Coast Grade (6%) to Sunny Knoll, Lester, and Split Rail. Benedetti makes the single-vineyard lots and pulls off a few barrels from each to make this wine, his largest production at 400-some cases. Medium-bodied, it offers sinewy black fruit, smoky oak, and savory umami around lighter nuances of orange peel and black tea, the goal being to showcase the vintage and the larger appellation more than the sites. Goal accomplished. Drink now through 2034.”

“This barrel selection of “cellar stars” from five different vineyards takes a more powerful stance, showing candied strawberry, ripe cherry and a touch of char on the nose. The palate is rich and concentrated, offering flavors of cherry compote, sumac and a veil of sagebrush that gives a bitter kick on the thicker back end.”

“A melange of five Santa Cruz Mountain vineyards, it includes the Saveria, Sunny Knoll, Lester, Split Rail and Coast Grade vineyards. At 10 months of age, it spends 8 months on lees and is comprised of a mix of clones, including Martini, Mt. Eden, Pommard, and several different Dijon clones. Juicy and fruity, with an approachable profile. Sweet strawberries, juicy notes of cherry and cedar bark on the nose. The palate is fresh and juicy, with a generous fruit profile.”