2017 Castalia Rochioli Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.50, $60. 25th Anniversary bottling. Crafted by Terry Bering, long-time cellar master at Rochioli. Sourced from Flad Vineyard planted by Joe Rochioli to West Block selection, and Dijon clones 777, 115 and 667 from three different Rochioli estate vineyards. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Very earthy aromas present upon opening with cherry and leather in the background. Suave in the mouth, with plenty of appealing black cherry and raspberry fruits with undertones of earth, mushroom, spice and sarsaparilla. The tannins are silken making the wine approachable upon opening, but it is considerably more fruit-centric and aromatic when sampled the following day from a previously opened bottle. The cherry-driven finish shows excellent persistence. This wine doesn’t possess the sap of the J. Rochioli Pinot Noirs, but has a more earthy character and is equally appealing in its own way. Score: 94. Reviewed May 3, 2020

Winery: Castalia
From article: Recent Reviews of Rochioli Vineyard Pinot Noirs