Unabashedly New World in style. Very young. A fruit forward and voluptuous take on Pinot Noir. The wine smells of candied cherries, kirsch, and dark raspberries. Smooth and medium to full bodied in the mouth. A touch of glycerol silkiness. Acidity is medium, as are the fine grained tannins. Dark red fruit profile, with a hint of mocha, and that classic cherry cola flavor that one associates with the Russian River Valley. A hint of medicinal bitterness at the end of the long finish, not at all unwelcome. Polished and smooth. This is rich and full, but not in any way overblown or flabby. It’s lovely, really.
I love Burgundy and earthy Old World wines as much as the next person, but this is a style that I love too. I don’t drink this type of Pinot all that ofter, maybe a few times a year, but every once in a while it’s marvelous to have.