2012 Thomas Fogarty Rapley Trail Vineyard M Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 75 cases, $85. 1.5 acres of Martini clone planted in 1983 in shale and sandstone. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose opens over time in the glass to reveal aromas of oak-kissed black cherry and black raspberry with some savory herb and earthy flora adjuncts. Over time, this wine offers the most appealing nose of the vineyard designates tasted. Impressive attack and finish with nicely ripened dark stone and berry fruits. The intensity is ramped up especially on the finish. The wine is a bit rugged and herbal at present, with notable oak presence, but should improve with another two to four years in the cellar. When re-tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was about the same. Score: 90-92. Reviewed July 12, 2015

Winery: Thomas Fogarty Winery
From article: Many Very Good to Extraordinary California Pinot Noirs Tasted Recently