2005 Verve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 375 cases, $33. The grapes come from an unnamed well known vineyard located between Sebastopol and Forestville. The clones are an unusual mix of 115, Beringer, Jackson 9 and Swan. The wine was fermented in a Rousseau 2 ton French oak open-top fermenter and aged for 17 months in 40% new French oak followed by 6 months in bottle. · This wine smelled great with rich black cherry, plum, spice and pleasant oak aromas. Black cherry infused with sidecars of anise, herbs and spice, this medium to full bodied Pinot was soft and smooth in the mouth and left a refreshing impression on the finish. Plenty of Pinot love here. Reviewed January 20, 2008

Winery: Verve
From article: Tasty Pinots from the Russian River Valley