The 2014 Pinot Noir Vanguard is deep and implosive, naturally within the Hilt's generally restrained style. Plum, sweet cherry, spice and menthol are all fused together in a pliant, textured Pinot loaded with textural nuance. Even with its forward fruit, the 2014 has quite a bit of underlying structure and tannin. This is one of the unqualified successes of the year in the Sta. Rita Hills. In 2014, the Vanguard is 100% Mt. Eden clone Pinot from Sanford & Benedict, done with fully destemmed fruit and aged in 45% new French oak.

More plush, with gorgeous black raspberry, toasted spice, dried flowers and a touch of licorice, the 2014 Pinot Noir Vanguard hits the palate with gorgeous fruit, a rounded, supple texture and present, yet ripe tannin. It's much more approachable than the Old Guard, but I suspect it will evolve just as nicely.