One of the deeper colored efforts in the lineup, the 2017 Pinot Noir Atticus John Sebastiano Vineyard comes from a site located on the eastern edge of the Sta. Rita Hills. All destemmed and aged 15 months in 50% new barrels, it offers up notes of earthy black fruits, scorched earth, graphite, and forest floor. Concentrated and powerful on the palate, with impressive concentration, it stays tight and compact, with fine tannins and a great finish. Hide bottles for 2-3 years, and it should easily cruise for over a decade in cool cellars.

Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2017 Pinot Noir Atticus John Sebastiano Vineyard, aged 15 months in 100% new French oak, is scented of boysenberry preserves, blueberry, dried tobacco leaf, charcuterie and pink peppercorn with cocoa, warm black cherries and blackberries plus hints of smoke, charcuterie and oodles of dried floral/potpourri perfume. Medium-bodied, it gives up intense, savory, broody fruits and spices, framed by firm but very ripe, pixelated tannins and great freshness to counter the dense flavor, finishing very long. This is powerful and refined. 170 cases were made. Paul Lato compares this to Volnay, if Sta. Rita Hills were Burgundy. - EB