Apr 182013
 
2009 Buena Vista Winery Pinot Noir, Carneros, CA, $25 (S) – Rating 89

An excellent value Pinot Noir with a rich, round and soft texture. A bouquet of red plum and raspberry with notes of herb and espresso. Soft tannins with flavors of red berry fruit, plum raspberry and ripe strawberry. An intriguing franco-earthiness in the finish. Buy This Wine

Apr 162013
 
2011 Masút Vineyard and Winery Block 13 Pinot Noir, Mendocino County, CA, $55 (S) – Rating 91

Part of the winery’s select Block Series, Block 13 sits alone on the northwest side of the property. This attention worthy Pinot offers up layered aromas of cherry, plum, raspberry and saddle leather. Highlighted by soft tannins and food pairing acidity, flavors abound of bing cherry, raspberry and dark plum with notes of forest floor and leather in the finish. Buy This Wine

Apr 162013
 
2011 Masút Vineyard and Winery Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir, Mendocino County, CA, $40 (S) – Rating 91

Named a “Wineries to watch in 2013” by the Press Democrat, this complex Pinot is one of the reasons why. Produced from Estate fruit, Dijon Pinot Noir clones 113, 115 and 777, aged 11 months in French oak (35% new) and bottled unfined and unfiltered. A charmingly rustic and briary nose of dark cherries is the prelude to deep flavors of dark cherry, ripe raspberry and notes of campfire smoke with hints of chocolate in the long finish. Buy This Wine

Mar 202013
 
2009 La Rochelle Donum Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir , Carneros, Sonoma County, CA, $75 (S) – Rating 94

Very limited production – 115 cases… Buy Now! 100% Donum clone Pinot Noir. A big Pinot with full on aromas of ripe raspberry, cherry and spice with just a hint of campfire smoke. The wine itself is complex on the palate with bright cherry flavors complimented by dark cherry and ripe raspberry with just a hint of Dr. Pepper in the finish. Plenty of acidity combined with well integrated tannins adds to the experience and aging potential. A superior Carneros Pinot. Buy This Wine

Mar 202013
 
2009 Ceja Vineyards Pinot Noir, Carneros, CA, $50 (S) – Rating 90

A rich and deep Pinot that needs some time to open to its full splendor. The jammy nose is full of blueberry, raspberry jam and spice with just a nuance of smoke. Medium to full-bodied with good acidity and soft tannins offering flavors of cherry, blueberry, raspberry, ripe plum and dark spice.  It’s a baby…This will will only improve over the next few years. Buy This Wine