Alma de Cattleya, Sonoma County (California) Pinot Noir 2023 ($35)

This wine took the most first place votes in a pretty stellar blind lineup of Pinot Noir in a tasting I hosted. It features bright black cherry, a light pepper note, dry earth mineral/crushed rock and fall spice tones on the nose and in the mouth. Balanced to the lively side, there’s a nicely integrated push in the finish. The 2023 gets a price bump over the previous vintage, but it remains a fine value. Contains clones 114, 115, 667, 777, Pommard, Swan, Calera and 2A.
93 Rich Cook