Fort Ross Vineyard, Fort Ross-Seaview (Sonoma Coast, California) Pinotage 2019 ($45)

Here is an impressive Pinotage made from two clones personally selected and imported by South African natives Lester and Linda Schwartz. They planted a small block to Pinotage within their high-elevation, 52-acre coastal vineyard. After the fruit was hand harvested in early October of 2019, winemaker Jeff Pisoni aged the wine for 12 months in 20% new French oak and bottled it unfined and unfiltered. In the glass this wine is quite dark in color with an intriguing aroma that leans slightly toward the earthy Rhône side of the variety (a cross between Cinsault and Pinot Noir), with berry fruit, green tea and cassis. On the palate it is vibrant and energized with black plum, spice and tea leaf flavors that are supported by velvety tannins. It finishes with good length, suggesting this would reward lengthy cellaring. 360 cases made.
94 Norm Roby