J Vineyards, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Pinot Noir 2012

J’s Misterra is a Pinot Noir with a twist, made with the unusual addition of Pinotage (native to South Africa) and Pinot Meunier, a red grape variety typically used in the production of sparkling wine. Winemaker Melissa Stackhouse has crafted a beautifully balanced, delicious red from this unique blend. It can legally be classified Pinot Noir because that grape accounts for 90 percent of the blend. It exhibits a spicy nose that follows through on the palate. On the palate it delivers complex layers of red and blue fruit, with slightly chewy tannins. This is the first vintage of Misterra and it shows the potential and promise of this daring combination of grapes.