The San Francisco International Wine Competition is one of the most prestigious wine competitions on the planet. Nearly 5000 wines are submitted each year - and only twenty-five of those wines earn a Double Gold Medal. Today’s wine earned a coveted Double Gold and a 96 point score.

Grab some of this wine while you can. Supply is limited and we expect this wine to sell out.

Today’s Blue Cape Cellars 2012 Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir took our whole tasting panel by surprise. When we tried this under the radar wine, we were immediately struck by how dense and dark it is. And how fragrant. And how dense and delicious this wine is on the palate. Sta. Rita Hills Pinots are among our favorites, and today’s is superb.

Surprisingly dense for a Pinot Noir, it’s heart of deep ruby spreads out to a nice vermilion at the edge. Up front, the bouquet offers up a ton of dusty brambles, straw, nettles, and sandalwood. With this much interesting spice and earth, the rhubarb fruit quality is just icing on the cake. The palate offers more bright fruit with cranberry, cassis with some creme de menthe, fresh cut grass and date. It’s got a wonderful weight with a mouthfeel that fills the bottom of the palate and extends back for a long finish. Looking for wine for a veggie dish? This would be ideal for a ratatouille or baba ganoush.

The Sta. Rita Hills AVA, located within Santa Barbara County and almost entirely in the Santa Ynez Valley was established in 2001 and is considered one of California’s best regions for growing the Burgundian varietals of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay due to its cooler climate. The AVA’s weather is heavily influenced by cool coastal breezes and persistent Pacific fog. Just less than 200 acres in the AVA are under vine. Interestingly, the name of the appellation was changed from Santa Rita Hills to Sta. Rita Hills so as to not conflict with Chilean powerhouse winery Vina Santa Rita.

Here’s what the wine press has to say:

96 points and Double Gold Medal Winner - San Francisco International Wine Competition