2011 Gallegos Boekenoogen Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.8% alc., $39. The Gallegos family has been farming grapes in the Napa Valley since the 1950s. · Moderately deep reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic with intense scents of very ripe black cherry and black raspberry. A hedonistic wine that is the epitome of the California fruit experience with a full monty of blackberry and black raspberry fruits, with added plum, spiced raisin and sassafras flavors. The fruit was harvested at the cusp of surmaturité. Very plush on the palate that is both fruit and alcohol driven. This wine was a favorite at this year’s Pinot Summit, showing well in tastings due to its flamboyant fruit and seductive mouthfeel. The wine can be easy to like but it pushes the ripeness envelope and the high alcohol peeks out on the finish. Score: 88. Reviewed July 19, 2014

Winery: Gallegos Wines
From article: Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay & Outliers