Davis Bynum, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County) Pinot Noir 2012

 Davis Bynum has a long and proud history with Pinot Noir going back nearly 40 years. The brilliant Gary Farrell was winemaker for many of those years and crafted some of the earliest California Pinots that could stand up to the finest red Burgundies. The tradition continues even though Farrell hasn’t made the wine in years. This Clone 667 from Jane’s Vineyard, deep in the Russian River Valley, is a distinctive, earthy Pinot that exhibits an inviting nose of forest floor and spice, with seductive red-fruit aromas on the palate and finely integrated tannins. If you’re one of this Pinot lovers who eschews cookie-cutter Pinot, this is the Pinot for you.