VINOUS JUNE 2019

2016 Pinot Noir Southeast Block– 94

Limpid ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, candied rose, vanilla and Asian spices, and a bright mineral overtone gains strength with air. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering alluringly sweet,mineral-laced raspberry, floral pastille and spicecake flavors and a touch of succulent herbs. Delivers a suave blend of power and delicacy and finishes very long and smooth, with harmonious tannins and outstanding clarity. (40% new French oak) — Josh Raynolds

2016 Pinot Noir Casteel– 94

Deep brilliant red. Intense aromas of ripe dark berries, candied flowers, exotic spices and mocha are joined by hints of vanilla and musky earth as the wine opens up. Deeply concentrated but lively as well, offering juicy black raspberry, cherry cola, candied rose and spicecake flavors that show excellent clarity and back-end lift. Finishes impressively long, with harmonious tannins and resonating floral and dark berry qualities. (40% new French oak) — Josh Raynolds

2016 Pinot Noir West Block – 93

Bright red. An intensely perfumed nose displays ripe red berries, potpourri and exotic spices, and a hint of musky herbs builds in the background. Juicy and energetic on the palate, offering sappy raspberry, bitter cherry and lavender pastille flavors and a suggestion of spicecake. Shows sharp delineation and floral lift on the gently tannic finish, which leaves a juicy raspberry liqueur note behind. (50% new French oak) — Josh Raynolds

2016 Pinot Noir Justice Vineyard– 93

Shimmering ruby. A complex, expressive bouquet evokes fresh dark berries, candied flowers, incense and vanilla. Concentrated yet energetic, offering palatestaining, spice-laced black raspberry, cherry cola and violet pastille flavors that pick up a smoky mineral note on the back half. Displays a suave blend of depth and delicacy and finishes with sharp delineation, harmonious tannins and lingering spiciness. (40% new French oak) — Josh Raynolds

2016 Pinot Noir Aeolian– 91

Brilliant red. An expansive, spice-tinged bouquet evokes ripe red and blue fruits, vanilla and cola, and a floral nuance builds as the wine opens up. Sweet and seamless in texture, showing very good depth and sharp definition to the raspberry, boysenberry and bitter chocolate flavors. A hint of earthiness emerges on a very long, penetrating finish shaped by smooth tannins. (40% new French oak) — Josh Raynolds

2016 Pinot Noir Estate– 91

Vivid red. Assertively perfumed blackberry, floral oil and baking spice aromas are complemented by subtle cola and mocha accents. Shows very good depth as well as energy on the palate, offering sweet, mineral-laced cherry and dark berry flavors and a touch of spicecake. Finishes sappy and quite long, with repeating spice and floral nuances and gently chewy tannins. (35% new French oak) — Josh Raynolds