Fort Ross Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview (Sonoma Coast, California) Pinot Noir “Stagecoach Road” 2022 ($80)

This is a pitch-perfect Pinot Noir is from two clones (Calera and Pommard) planted on steep hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Early spring rains during flowering reduced the crop in 2022, and at the harvest, the berries were unusually small. That comes across once the wine is poured, as the color is a deep garnet. Initial scents of cranberry and plum with anise are a bit reticent, but with airing and swirling, black cherry, tea and toasty oak scents emerge. Smooth and silky on the palate, it offers concentrated flavors of cherry and earthy, forest floor undertones that are bright and charming with very light tannins. Youthful and balanced, it was showing even greater harmony a day later, indicating a long future lies ahead. But can be enjoyed whenever the mood hits. 230 cases.
94 Norm Roby