MAIL ROAD
A partnership between Santa Barbara winemakers Matt Dees of Hilt/Jonata fame and Mt. Carmel Vineyard owner Ron Piazza, these are wines of uncompromising excellence and distinction. Mt Carmel's soils lie adjacent to Sea Smoke's in the Botella clay loam only found along a narrow bench in the middle of the Sta Rita Hills AVA. The combination of windy exposure, soil composition, organic farming, and naturally low yields creates wines marked by deep concentration, depth, textural complexity and bright acidity.
"Apricot, almond paste, and brioche. Lime zest and sea salt. This Sparkler is tight, crisp, and savory yet dry and invigorating. Incredibly fine mousse with a persistent chalky elegance. Showcases the warmth and graceful power of the 2018 vintage, the expanded texture of 37 months en tirage and the bracing, saline freshness from the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. An absolute pleasure to drink today." -Matt Dees
"Sourced from Mount Carmel Vineyard and fermented with 5% whole clusters, the 2023 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills was aged 12 months in neutral barrels. It boasts a gorgeous nose of lively red berries, sappy herbs, flowers, and crushed stone, with a hint of salinity and subtle marine nuances in the background. Medium-bodied, fresh, focused, and seamless, it has that classic Mail Road Wines purity, precision, and tannin quality. Drink bottles over the coming 10-12 years. Drink 2025-2037." -Jeb Dunnuck, 94JD
"Sourced from Mount Carmel Vineyard on the southern side of the appellation and fermented with 6% whole clusters, the 2023 Pinot Noir Mount Carmel Vineyard was aged 12 months in once- and twice-used French oak. Similarly medium ruby and semi-opaque, it offers wild raspberries, rose petals, underbrush, and subtle marine nuances. Medium-bodied, ultra-pure, seamless, and silky on the palate, with integrated acidity, ultra-fine tannins, and a gorgeous finish, it's a sensational Grand Cru-level effort from this team and has so much to love. It will keep for 15+ years in cold cellars. Drink 2025-2040." -Jeb Dunnuck, 97JD
"The 2023 Chardonnay Mt Carmel Vineyard is a fabulous, multi-dimensional wine with impressive focus, undeniable concentration and so much character. Aged for 11 months in a mix of once and twice-used French oak barrels, followed by six months in stainless steel, the 2023 developed remarkable depth without sacrificing precision. Honeyed mango, chalk, chamomile tea and ginger spice weave through layers of minerality, lees-derived texture and scintillating acidity in a harmonious expression of richness and balance. The finish is long, graceful and utterly self-assured - a benchmark Mt. Carmel Chardonnay that captures both site and vintage at the highest level." -Vinous, 96VM
"The single vineyard 2022 Pinot Noir Mt Carmel Vineyard is slightly more complex and nuanced, offering a gorgeous nose of wild strawberries, dried flowers, rose, savory spices, and forest floor-like nuances. With medium-bodied richness, a layered, seamless mouthfeel, and finely polished tannins, it's another remarkable Pinot Noir from this team that has so much to love. It's approachable now yet will benefit from just a year or two of bottle age." -Jeb Dunnuck, 95JD
