{"title":"Sea Smoke Southing","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"sea-smoke-southing-pinot-noir-1-5l","title":"Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir 1.5L","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir 1.5L\u003c\/strong\u003e is a 100% Pinot Noir from Sta. Rita Hills AVA, bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV in a 1.5-liter magnum format. This estate-grown expression has earned 94 points from Decanter critic Clive Pursehouse, who praised its \"ripe and audacious\" character alongside gleaming minerality and smoky sea salt on the finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California  |  100% Pinot Noir  |  Producer: Sea Smoke Estate\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSea Smoke farms its own estate vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, a cool-climate corridor shaped by Pacific Ocean fog and persistent coastal breezes. The name \"Southing\" references the south-facing hillside bluffs on the estate where these vines are planted — a specific orientation that captures direct sunlight while remaining tempered by the maritime influence. The wine is aged for 16 months in French oak barrels, 42% of which are new, a regime that adds structure and subtle spice without overwhelming the fruit. The magnum format is prized by collectors for its slower, more graceful aging curve compared to a standard 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fresh strawberry and Montmorency cherry rise first, followed by dried florals — rose water, violet, and hibiscus — layered over subtle baking spices. With air, darker tones of sagebrush and spearmint emerge alongside a trace of tobacco.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is bright and nervy, led by currant and Rainier cherry. At mid-palate, the wine gains weight with sweet cherry flesh, dried lavender, and savory notes of fennel and clove. Fine-grained tannins provide a structured framework, while cool-climate acidity keeps everything lifted and precise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Moderately long with a tinge of smoky sea salt and gleaming minerality that lingers alongside sandalwood and fading red plum. The texture stays polished and fine through the close.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink Southing\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eServe at 58–62°F after 30–45 minutes of decanting; the magnum format benefits from slightly more breathing time than a standard bottle. A large-bowled Burgundy glass will open the aromatic complexity. This is a wine built for the table — pair it with roasted duck breast, wild mushroom risotto, or herb-crusted rack of lamb. For lighter fare, charcuterie boards with aged salumi and Comté cheese complement the wine's savory streak.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a serious Pinot Noir collector — the magnum format signals intention and ages beautifully\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnchoring a dinner party for six to eight guests with a single impressive pour\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCellaring five to ten years to develop additional secondary complexity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCelebrating a milestone occasion with a critically acclaimed California estate wine\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does Southing taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e Sea Smoke Southing delivers bright Montmorency cherry, red currant, and strawberry alongside dried florals, baking spice, and a distinctive mineral streak of smoky sea salt. The tannins are fine-grained, and the acidity is characteristically vibrant for Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does Southing compare to Sea Smoke Ten?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both wines come from the same estate vineyard in Sta. Rita Hills, but Ten is a multi-clone blend (drawing from ten Pinot Noir clones) that tends toward a bigger, richer profile and typically commands a higher price point. Southing is generally considered the more elegant and accessible of the two, emphasizing bright fruit and cool-climate freshness over depth and concentration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Southing good for cellaring?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — the combination of firm acidity, fine tannins, and the magnum format's slower oxidation rate makes Southing in 1.5L an excellent candidate for mid-term aging of five to ten years, during which secondary notes of earth, dried herbs, and leather typically develop.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is Southing made?\u003c\/strong\u003e Southing is produced entirely from Sea Smoke's estate vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA, a federally recognized appellation within Santa Barbara County, California, known for its east-west oriented transverse valleys that funnel cool Pacific air inland.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with Southing?\u003c\/strong\u003e Roasted duck breast complements the cherry fruit and spice; wild mushroom dishes mirror the wine's earthy undertones; grilled salmon works with its bright acidity; aged Gruyère or Comté highlight the savory, herbal qualities; and lamb with rosemary echoes the sagebrush aromatics.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does Southing come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir is available in the standard 750ml bottle and the 1.5L magnum featured here, which holds the equivalent of two standard bottles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs Southing worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e Southing positions as a premium estate Pinot Noir from one of California's most respected cool-climate appellations, with consistent critical scores in the low-to-mid 90s. The magnum format adds collectibility and aging potential, placing it firmly in the upper tier of domestic Pinot Noir but within reach for serious enthusiasts seeking verified quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy Southing?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat separates Southing from the broader field of California Pinot Noir is site specificity — the wine is named for the exact south-facing exposures on Sea Smoke's estate that define its character. A 94-point score from Decanter and a matching 94 from critic Owen Bargreen confirm this is not just regional hype but a wine with international recognition. The 16-month French oak aging at 42% new adds measured complexity without the heavy-handed oakiness that plagues many California Pinots at this tier. In magnum, Southing becomes something more: a format that rewards patience, ages with greater stability, and turns every uncorking into an event worth remembering.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sea Smoke Southing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837797429417,"sku":"28839","price":229.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Sea-Smoke-Southing-Pinot-Noir__95568.jpg?v=1730494858"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/sea-smoke-southing.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}