Cool sites along the gap between the Santa Lucia Highlands and the Gavilan Mountains supply the grapes for this intense, richly textured Pinot Noir that was matured for seven months in French oak. The color is a medium ruby and the aromatics show hints of black tea and ripe black cherry, with spicy undertones. The tannins are refined and the wine has good smoky oak integration, plenty of fruit, 13.9% alcohol, and a long, flavor-packed finish. This is a very nice Pinot at a very nice price.
La Crema, Monterey (California) Pinot Noir 2008
By Gerald D. Boyd