Justin Willett makes some of the prettiest and most fragrant Pinot Noirs in Santa Barbara County, and his 2022 Tyler Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir is one I could drink all day.
This is the antithesis of the ripe and jammy style of California Pinot Noir that many of my customers no longer go for. It is "such a gorgeous wine," said Antonio Galloni of Vinous Media with "fragrant scents of raspberry, strawberry and blueberry with touches of blood orange, charcuterie and dried herbs," said the Wine Advocate.
Yep, the critics love Justin's wines just as much as I do. Born in Santa Barbara, he founded Tyler Winery in 2005, and his winemaking style is simple. "Generally speaking, my perspective is less is more. I feel like if we can bring really high quality fruit into the cellar, the heavy lifting is really kind of done." This means top vineyard sites, organic farming, native yeast fermentations, and minimal new oak.
Willett's 2022 Pinot Noir is a blend of grapes from some of the top sites in the Santa Rita Hills. I'm talking Fiddlestix, La Rinconada, and Mae, and this is fermented with native yeasts and 1/3 whole clusters and aged for 12 months in French oak, just 15% new. This minimalist approach to winemaking is Justin's signature style, and it allows these pristine sites to tell a comprehensive story of the Santa Rita Hill's diverse terroir.
All I can say is mission accomplished! This wine is so fresh, vibrant, and lengthy, with beautiful notes of red fruits, dusty earthiness, exotic spices, and dried rose petal. Despite being light-bodied, it has such "presence," and "all the elements are so nicely balanced," said Vinous Media, and I completely agree with them.
This is truly a compelling Pinot Noir and one I'd happily pit against similarly priced Red Burgundies. This would win! Try it for yourself, you'll be blown away.
Josh Spurling
Owner/Operator/Wine Lover
Table Wine Asheville
