Noble Vines, Monterey (California) Pinot Noir 2015

 Many California Pinot Noirs fall short because they offer too much rather than too little — too much richness, sweetness, or vanillin oak.  This wine succeeds by dint of pure, straightforwardly delicious fruit reminiscent of wild strawberries and red cherries, with no extraneous “make-up” but fine balance of acidity and tannin for the moderate weight of the wine.  Very well done.  A Double Gold award winner at the 2018 Toast of the Coast Wine Competition.