Ten Acre, Russian River Valley (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2011

I don’t mind drinking a big, sloppy Pinot Noir from time to time, but when a well disciplined, more restrained one such as this Ten Acre example comes along it is a reminder of the pleasure California Pinot can bring.  It’s still big and burly in taste and velvety texture, but there is also a solid core of fresh fruit tempered by lovely elusive touches of earthiness and spice.