Tudal Family Winery, Sonoma Coast (Sonoma County, California) Pinot Noir 2008

 This wine has the trademark finesse, delicacy and inner tension of a Pinot Noir from the far side of the Sonoma Coast appellation, the extreme cool-climate area near the Pacific Ocean, in this case a 1000-foot-high vineyard near the town of Annapolis.  The wine is fairly pale in color for a California Pinot, with an aroma of fresh, vibrant red fruit and spice.  In the mouth the wine is truly dry and very flavorful with notes of tart red fruits and an impressively fruity finish.  Everything about this wine says freshness and vibrancy, a delight.  The 14.4% alcohol is surprising, because the wine tastes lighter.  That the wine costs only $33 when only 78 cases were produced is also surprising.