Hartley Ostini Hitching Post Highliner Santa Barbara Pinot Noir 2021 Rated 93WE

Wine Enthusiast Review
Rated 93
Released in 2024 to honor the 20th anniversary of the Oscar-winning film Sideways, this bottling offers cranberry, tarry rocks and dank sage aromas on the nose. The palate surrounds a core of raspberry and forest floor, relying on wild herbs to bring a savory side to the food-ready wine.

Hartley Ostini Hitching Post “Highliner” Pinot Noir 2021

Elegant. Savory. A flagship Santa Barbara Pinot Noir crafted with precision, depth, and coastal finesse.
The 2021 Highliner represents the pinnacle of Hitching Post's Pinot Noir program — a blend of top vineyard lots selected for purity, balance, and complexity. This vintage captures the cool?climate character of Santa Barbara County with lifted aromatics, refined structure, and a long, graceful finish.

Key Details

• Producer: Hartley Ostini Hitching Post
• Region: Santa Barbara County, California
• Varietal: Pinot Noir
• Style: Elegant, savory, cool?climate Pinot
• Aging: Barrel?aged for texture and complexity
• ABV: 13.5%

Tasting Notes

• Red cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate
• Rose petal, dried herbs, and subtle earth
• Silky tannins with vibrant acidity
• Long, savory finish with spice and mineral lift

Why You'll Love It

• The flagship Pinot Noir from the iconic Hitching Post team
• Beautiful balance of fruit purity and savory complexity
• Perfect for collectors and fans of refined coastal Pinot
• Pairs effortlessly with food thanks to its freshness and structure

Food Pairing

• Grilled salmon or seared tuna
• Roast chicken or duck breast
• Mushroom risotto or truffle pasta
• Soft cheeses like brie or taleggio