"Sea Smoke might be the single most evocative vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, maybe all of Santa Barbara. The huge, sprawling ranch offers breathtaking views pretty much in every direction. General Manager Victor Gallegos has streamlined the Pinot lineup to essentially two wines; the Southing, which is generally floral and bright in profile, and the deeper, richer Ten bottling. The Pinots are made from fully destemmed fruit and spend around 16 months in barrel." - Antonio Galloni

"Sea Smoke might be the single most evocative vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, maybe all of Santa Barbara. The huge, sprawling ranch offers breathtaking views pretty much in every direction. General Manager Victor Gallegos has streamlined the Pinot lineup to essentially two wines; the Southing, which is generally floral and bright in profile, and the deeper, richer Ten bottling. The Pinots are made from fully destemmed fruit and spend around 16 months in barrel." - Antonio Galloni

"Intensely ripe but pristine black cherry and plum notes are kissed with glimmers of brandy and cigar leaf in this concentrated yet brightly composed Pinot Noir. It's a powerful, gorgeously juicy mouthful with a heft and unctuousness that's pleasing, but sharply balanced too, taut with a quivering vein of cranberry acidity and layers of stone and earth that unfurl on the palate. Tannins are fine but persistent. It's delightful in youth but should improve for the next decade and hold longer still. (Drink between 2024-2040)" Decanter, 97DE

"Black cherry and mulberry flavours etched with whispers of char and anise extend from nose to finish in this opulent yet elegantly finessed wine. It's powerfully concentrated in fruit but shaded with dusty, earthen tones of baked clay and granite. The palate is luxurious and creamy with a finish fringed with fine-grained, charry tannins. Ready now but should hold further. (Drink between 2024-2036)" Decanter, 96DE

"Aromas of dark strawberries, ripe strawberries, crushed stone, iron and dried tile dust. Turns to light chocolate. Full-bodied and layered with lots of ripe strawberries, but it remains juicy and savory. Flavorful finish. Plenty of fruit but energetic and racy. Drink or hold." James Suckling, 97JS

"The 2019 Southing is seductive, structured, and deeply delicious. Dark, brooding ripe cherry aromas lift out of the glass with dried red florals, sagebrush, Indian spices, and spearmint. Medium-bodied with exceptional fruit density and yet, weightlessness. This is all wound-up energy and tension expressed in layers of black cherries, salted dark chocolate, crushed stone minerals, conifer, and scintillating acidity. A finish marked by cedar spices, white pepper and juniper makes for a complex and heady Pinot. (Drink between 2023-2038)" Decanter, 96DE

"The 2018 Pinot Noir Southing is laced with bold dark-fleshed fruit, menthol, licorice, spice and mocha. A wine of volume and depth, the 2018 offers tons of allure, with plush contours and impeccable overall balance. (Drink between 2022-2032)" Vinous, 95VM

"The 2018 Pinot Noir Ten is a classic Sea Smoke wine. Dark, ample and enveloping, the 2018 possesses notable richness and volume right out of the gate. Inky dark fruit cherry, plum, mocha, lavender and sweet spice all meld together, framed by supple, silky tannins that add considerable immediacy and overall appeal. (Drink between 2022-2033)" Vinous, 95VM

"Sea Smoke's 2016 Pinot Noir Ten is rich, boisterous and inviting from the very first taste. A wine of real immediacy and impact, the Ten has so much to offer. Black cherry, plum, hard candy, lavender, sweet spice and new oak are front and center in this lush, beautifully persistent Pinot Noir from Sea Smoke. The Ten will appeal most to readers who appreciate lush Pinots. There is certainly plenty to like here, that much is obvious. (Drink between 2021-2031)" Vinous, 93VM

"Baked cranberry, cherry, clove, vanilla bean and mossy earth show on the nose of this always much anticipated bottling from the region's first cult producer. The palate is tangy with rounded black-plum, star anise and black-peppercorn flavors. It's excellent now, but those tart elements will find more integration with patience. Drink 2019–2035." Matt Kettmann, 94WE

"Sea Smoke might be the single most evocative vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, maybe all of Santa Barbara. The huge, sprawling ranch offers breathtaking views pretty much in every direction. General Manager Victor Gallegos has streamlined the Pinot lineup to essentially two wines; the Southing, which is generally floral and bright in profile, and the deeper, richer Ten bottling. The Pinots are made from fully destemmed fruit and spend around 16 months in barrel." - Antonio Galloni

"From a site located on the eastern side of the appellation, the 2016 Pinot Noir Pence saw the standard destemming and 20 months in 25% new French oak. Tons of classic Sta. Rita Hills marine and salinity all jump from the glass of this beauty, which has terrific cherry and strawberry fruits, medium body, a seamless, elegant texture, and integrated acidity. This is a brilliant, classic Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir that does everything right. (Drink between 2019-2027)." -Wine Advocate, 95WA