Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir 1.5L

Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir 1.5L 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.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: Sta. Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County, California  |  100% Pinot Noir  |  Producer: Sea Smoke Estate

Production & Heritage

Sea 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.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: 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.

Taste: 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.

Finish: 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.

How to Drink Southing

Serve 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.

Best For

• Gifting a serious Pinot Noir collector — the magnum format signals intention and ages beautifully
• Anchoring a dinner party for six to eight guests with a single impressive pour
• Cellaring five to ten years to develop additional secondary complexity
• Celebrating a milestone occasion with a critically acclaimed California estate wine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Southing taste like? 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.

How does Southing compare to Sea Smoke Ten? 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.

Is Southing good for cellaring? 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.

Where is Southing made? 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.

What foods pair well with Southing? 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.

What sizes does Southing come in? 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.

Is Southing worth the price? 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.

Why Southing?

What 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.