John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020
96JD/95WE/93VM
Peake Ranch

From a windy site of the eastern slope of the Sta. Rita Hills, we have produced a Pinot Noir that embodies power, structure and concentration at it’s core. Vibrant magenta in color, with a fruit forward intensity that embodies the essence of fresh red plum, tomato leaf, bing cherry and vanilla. Tannin dominant with a solid backbone of beautifully balanced acidity throughout the palate. A few years of cellaring will reward ten-fold those with patience.

OAK REGIME: 100% French Oak, 27% New Oak

CLONE: Swan, 667

VINEYARDS: 100% John Sebastiano Vineyard

Our Tasting Notes:

The 2020 John Sebastiano Pinot Noir is an outstanding Pinot Noir with red cherries, red raspberry, cherry cola, subtle baking spices, polished and integrated oak, fresh and good mouthfeel. Very aromatic, the nose rises from the glass easily. The palate is med to med+ with very good persistence and length in the long finish. Tiny production.

96 pts Jeb Dunnuck

Coming from a vineyard just across the valley from the estate vineyard, the 2020 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard was all destemmed and saw 27% new French oak. It has a touch more of a darker berry-fruited profile as well as beautiful notes of leafy herbs, underbrush, and damp flowers. Pure, medium to full-bodied, and as seamless as they come, it’s broader and more expansive than the Estate release. It’s great today and will be great in a decade.

95 pts Wine Enthusiast

Boysenberry, lilac and cinnamon aromas swirl into a complex and heady nose on this bottling from one of the three epic vineyards owned by proprietor John Wagner. The palate is bold with black raspberry, fennel and sage flavors, while crushed slate minerality provides both an earthy side and a textural canvas.

93 pts Vinous Media / Galloni

The 2020 Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Vineyard is a dark, virile wine, even if it has a bit less heft in this vintage than is often the case. Dark cherry, plum, cloves, lavender and orange peel flesh out in mid-weight yet ample Pinot. Brisk acids play off that natural texture nicely. Graphite, incense and dark spice add to a feeling of gravitas.