2020 Dragonette, Black Label Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills 12x75cl

Vinous 96

The 2020 Pinot Noir Black Label is a powerful, ample wine. Black cherry, plum, incense, new leather, tobacco and orange peel all fill out the layers in bold, sumptuous Pinot Noir that captures all this tricky year had to offer. Readers will find a Pinot of tremendous stature and personality. The blend is Radian, Fiddlestix and Bentrock, with more Radian than the 2019, which gives the wines its palpable feeling of richness. [Antonio Galloni, 01/06/2022]

Anticipated maturity: 2023-2035

Jeb Dunnuck 96+

The flagship is the 2020 Pinot Noir Black Label, a cellar selection coming from the Radian, Fiddlestix, and Bentrock vineyards. This medium ruby/plum-hued effort offers a beautiful bouquet of red and black fruits as well as scorched earth, graphite, and hints of violets. It’s medium to full-bodied on the palate and has perfect balance as well as ample tannic structure, a great mid-palate, integrated acidity, and one heck of a finish. It’s tight, closed and backward, and needs 2-3 years of bottle age, but it’s certainly up with the creme de la creme of this vintage. [29/08/2022]