This is a style of wine I debate about when scoring. For my own palate, it’s a bit too potent, ripe and heavy, yet there are legion fans of this style. I appreciate its myriad aromas of wild blackberry, cherry cola, dried herbs, tomato leaf and black spice. The palate is mouth-filling and juicy, with ripe boysenberry and plum flavors and a kick of spice — but also alcoholic heat — on the finish.
La Crema, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2011
By Linda Murphy