Masút Vineyard and Winery, Mendocino County (California) Pinot Noir 2012

Jake Fetzer, who along with his brother, Ben, run Masút Vineyard and Winery, explains that each year they select a wine from one of the blocks in their estate vineyard that they think has done very well and bottle a portion of it separately.  Block 6 was their choice in 2012.  It’s riper than their Estate Vineyard bottling, (weighing in at a stated 14.4% alcohol versus 13.9% in their Estate), which explains why the flavors are more concentrated, even with a hint of chocolate.  It’s a more robust and powerful version of Pinot Noir.  Fans of that style will love it. The Estate Vineyard bottling gets my vote because of its verve, panoply of flavors and precise balance.