So far northern California’s 2021 vintage is living up to the hype, as exhibited in this fine Pinot Noir from Bibiana Gonzales-Rave. The brilliant color attracts, and invites you to nose layered cherry and wildflower aromas with a note of dry earth. The palate is fresh and bright, delivering the cherry fruit with cinnamon and dry earth minerality over racy acidity. A zesty finish gives good flavor push to wrap up the sip and invite another. Decant this if going in early, or age a few years to get at everything that’s lurking.
Alma de Cattleya, Sonoma County (California) Pinot Noir 2021
By Rich Cook