The beauty of the Pisoni vineyard is its unique ability to produce pinot noir that shows power and remarkable depth without losing the edginess that defines the world’s finest pinots, whether they come from Burgundy or some other part of the world. The 2013 Pisoni from winemaker James Hall is a classic example, exhibiting rich layers of cherry, plum and currant. Notes of vanilla and clove linger in the background. On the palate the wine is full-bodied and rich, with a long, sensual finish. You can certainly enjoy it now, but ideally it would be cellared another two to three years at a minimum.
Patz & Hall, Santa Lucia Highlands (California) Pinot Noir 2013
By Robert Whitley