2010 Elke Vineyards Donnelly Creek Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.64, 500 cases, $34. Released January 2013. 14th vintage of this wine bottled under the family “Blue Diamond.” 20-year-old vines located just outside the town of Boonville. Five clones cane-pruned and trained using a combination of double-guyot (traditional style of Burgundy) and arc-coeur (lesser known style of Alsace). 100% de-stemmed, inoculated, aged 11 months in 35% new Francois Frères oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose draws you into the glass with effusive aromas of dark cherries and berries, spice and oak. Impressive attack of black cherry and black raspberry fruits embracing toast and vanilla-infused oak, balanced tannins and a finish that makes you sit up and take notice. Gets better over time in the glass. Very good. Reviewed June 23, 2013

Winery: Elke Vineyards
From article: Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival