The grapes for this tightly wound wine come from the Carneros region, usually marked by lots of spice and ripe berry fruit. Aged for eight months in French oak it has a medium ruby color, modest nose of white pepper, low intensity cherry-berry and an earthy back note. On entry the flavors are bright and fruity, with boiled black tea accents, supported by firm tannins, 14.7% alcohol and decent length through the finish. Clos Pegase has a reputation for Bordeaux-style red wines and this Pinot Noir seems more like a Cabernet-based wine than one made from Pinot Noir.
Clos Pegase, Carneros (Napa Valley, California) Pinot Noir 2008
By Gerald D. Boyd