Will arrive late November 2025
2018 Sea Smoke “Grand” Pinot Noir – Sta. Rita Hills, California
The 2018 Sea Smoke “Grand” Pinot Noir is the rarest and most opulent expression from the famed Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard — a masterful blend of the most exquisite Pinot Noir lots from the 2018 vintage. Crafted with uncompromising precision and aged to perfection, “Grand” embodies the pinnacle of California Pinot Noir artistry — elegant, profound, and infinitely collectible.
The Legacy of Sea Smoke
Perched high in the fog-kissed hills of the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, Sea Smoke has achieved near-mythic status among Pinot Noir enthusiasts. Its vineyards benefit from the Pacific Ocean’s cooling influence, marine sedimentary soils, and meticulous biodynamic farming practices that produce wines of breathtaking purity and complexity. The 2018 “Grand” is the culmination of decades of craftsmanship, patience, and vision.
Winemaking Excellence
Each cluster of 100% Pinot Noir was hand-harvested, hand-sorted, and destemmed with surgical precision. After a slow cold soak and gentle fermentation in open-top fermenters, the wine was aged for 16 months in 46% new French oak barrels, then cellared for five additional years in bottle before its limited release. This luxurious patience delivers extraordinary integration, polish, and depth — a textural experience unlike any other.
Tasting Notes
In the glass, the Sea Smoke “Grand” Pinot Noir 2018 reveals a deep garnet hue, shimmering with ruby brilliance. The aromatics are breathtaking — black raspberry, elderberry, and fig unfold alongside notes of freesia, violet, and jasmine, while subtle layers of cacao nib, bay laurel, and sandalwood add regal complexity.
On the palate, this wine is velvety, powerful, and refined — an exquisite balance of ripe black fruit, savory spice, and floral lift. Notes of Victoria plum, pomegranate, and wild cherry are framed by supple, polished tannins and a long, graceful finish infused with lavender, sage, and mineral tension.
The Experience
This is not merely a wine — it is a statement. With its seamless structure, astonishing balance, and cellar-worthy longevity, the Sea Smoke “Grand” stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s most collectible Pinot Noirs. It is a rare jewel of California winemaking, available only in minuscule quantities.
Serving & Pairing
Best enjoyed slightly below room temperature (60–62°F) and decanted for 45 minutes before serving.
Pair with:
- Roasted duck breast with cherry gastrique
- Truffle risotto or wild mushroom pasta
- Herb-crusted rack of lamb
- Aged Comté or Brie de Meaux
Key Facts
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Vintage: 2018
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Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir
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Appellation: Sta. Rita Hills, California
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Vineyard: Sea Smoke Estate
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Aging: 16 months French oak (46% new) + 5 years bottle
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Alcohol: 14.7%
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Farming: Sustainable, hand-harvested
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Release: Extremely limited allocation
