Eden Rift Vineyards, Cienega Valley (San Benito County, California) Pinot Noir 2018

 From the high elevation, south facing Q Block planted to the Calera clone, this is about as dark and deep as Pinot Noir can get.  The deep color suggests the berries were tiny when harvested.  On the palate, this is concentrated and ripe, with spiced plum and blackberry fruit and earthy, floral-violet, toasty oak notes.  Deep yet layered, with smooth, silky, velvety tannins that lead to a long, heavenly finish.  Dark, ripe yet silky and smooth, it recalls the classic simile of an iron first in a velvet glove.