Mission Codename Swan song 1
Hedonistic Pinot Lovers! Devotees of that rich, palate-rocking, plush style - THIS IS FOR YOU. Don’t think twice either… there’s very little to go around.
This brings all that hedonistic gut-punching power you’ve come to expect from Morgado Cellars.
But…
Sadly, 2019 will be the LAST vintage for this beloved producer, Kimberly Hatcher is putting production on pause indefinitely. Consider yourself warned, as WE EXCLUSIVELY, go through these farewell releases.
Hatcher is a force on all ends. She hails from the Russel Bevan school of winemaking perfection and since their inaugural 2010 harvest, this San Francisco firefighter-turned-winemaking protégé has learned more than a few tricks from the master, as it is 1,000% on display right here.
Sourced from one of the preeminent vineyards in the Sta. Rita Hills heralded by Bevan, Kosta Browne, Chateau Boswell, Sandhi, Chanin, etc. it comes jam-packed with dark black cherries, raspberry coulis, chocolate-covered blueberry, toasty oak, and “smoked earth” as Jeb finds in this single vineyard.
And who owns it in case you’re wondering? Wine Spectator answers that “Sea Smoke only needed to look next door to find its purchase. Rita’s Crown Vineyard overlooks the Santa Ynez River Valley and sits adjacent to Sea Smoke’s estate vineyards in Sta. Rita Hills.”
This dark and shadowy Pinot is nearly impenetrable to light and surely not for those who want some delicate Burgundian reiki on their tastebuds. This gives more of a deep tissue percussion of flavor. Dark cherries, strawberry coulis, and cola, Tahitian vanilla bean, bold baking spices and crushed graphite all stacked sky high. That barrel review DOES NOT do justice to where the final take has ended up.
You can spend 2-3x as much for something that falls way short of this.
93-95 Points – Jeb Dunnuck
“Not yet bottled, the 2019 Pinot Noir Rita’s Crown is another sexy, full-bodied, pleasure-bent wine in the making. Lots of red and black fruits, dried herbs, and spice make up the bulk of the aromas, and it has ripe tannins, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish.”
What the Winery Says
2019 Rita's Crown Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
- Winemaker
- Kimberly Hatcher
- Varietal
- 100% Pinot Noir
- Vintage
- 2019
- Alcohol
- 15.1%
- Appellation
- Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County
- Vineyard
- Rita’s Crown Vineyard
- Aging
- 18 months
- Barrels
- 100% new French oak