2015 Ellen Redding Marin County Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 120 cases, $36. Sourced from Chileno Valley Vineyard, located in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Dijon clones 667, 777 and 115. 33% whole cluster, 7-day cold soak, native primary and secondary ferments, aged in two once-used and three neutral French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Very expressive aromas of blackberry, black raspberry, warm spice, vanilla and brioche. Delicious mid weight plus for of sweet black fruits rounded out with tastes of spice, cola, dark chocolate, black tea and toast. Velvety in the mouth with a hedonistic slant but enough tannins and oak to corral the rich fruit core. This wine grew in appeal when tasted later in the day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle and I could not stop drinking it. My notes say, “great.” You won’t find a better California Pinot Noir in the marketplace at this price. Score: 95. Reviewed January 6, 2018

Winery: Ellen Redding
From article: A Bounty of Ravishing California Pinot Noir Greets the New Year