One of the best Pinot Noir offerings I’ve tasted this year, and a clear standout in a blind flight of several excellent wines. It just keeps coming on in the glass, with layered aromas of flowers, damp and dried earth, black cherry, ripe strawberry, leaf and a touch of raspberry, all of which translate directly to palate flavors, delivered in a dry, elegant style with fine grained tannins and a supple grip that adds length to the finish where a rhubarb note joins in. Judicious oak spice deepens complexity without competing — can you tell that I’m wild about this one? Spectacular! Contains 80% clone 2A and 20% clone 777.
Stephen Ross, Arroyo Grande Valley (Central Coast, California) Pinot Noir 2013
By Rich Cook