95 Points – Wine Enthusiast

Botella offers a brighter, more immediately accessible expression of Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir from the team at Sea Smoke. Sourced from vineyards neighboring the Sea Smoke estate, the 2024 is picked earlier and handled more gently than the estate’s flagship Pinot Noirs, emphasizing aromatic freshness, supple texture and vibrant red fruit.

Blend: 100% Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes: Raspberry and red cherry lead into wild herbs, white pepper and subtle floral notes, with vanilla and gentle spice adding depth. The palate is silky and energetic, carrying juicy red fruit through fine tannins toward a fresh, savory finish with the herbal lift characteristic of Sta. Rita Hills.

Structure: Medium-bodied and polished, with bright acidity, supple tannins and considerably less extraction than Sea Smoke’s more powerful estate bottlings. Twelve months in French oak, 30% new, adds texture and seasoning without overwhelming the wine’s fresh-fruited character.

Drink Window: Now–2032. Botella is deliberately crafted for earlier enjoyment than Sea Smoke’s estate Pinot Noirs, and the 2024 is already expressive. A few years of bottle age should bring additional integration and savory complexity, but there is little reason to wait for long-term maturity.

Decanting: If opening now, 20–30 minutes of gentle aeration is plenty. Serve slightly cool, around 55–60°F, in a Burgundy glass to emphasize the wine’s perfume, freshness and silky texture.

The 2024 Botella is an appealing entry into the Sea Smoke style for drinkers who favor freshness and immediacy over the greater density and cellar demands of Southing or Ten. Its balance and moderate structure make it particularly versatile at the table, from salmon and roast chicken to duck, pork or mushroom dishes.