La Rochelle, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2009

 For my palate this is a reassuring example of the fact that it is actually possible to make California Pinot that isn’t overly sweet and fruity.  I’m not suggesting there’s a lack of fruit–indeed, there’s plenty of strawberry, cherry and red currant flavor going on in La Rochelle–but all of that is tempered by hints of earthiness and a good streak of acidity.