2013 MacPhail Mardikian Estate Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.77, TA 0.56, 500 cases, $85. Released fall 2015. Harvest Brix 24.5º-25.0º. Clones are 2A, 114, 667, 777, Martini and Pommard. 100% destemmed, 5-day cold soak, native and cultured fermentations, native malolactic fermentation in barrel, barronage weekly for 3 months, aged 16 months on lees in 100% French oak barrels, 35% new, bottled unfined and lightly filtered on August 19, 2014. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Lovely aromas of cherry pie glaze, Asian 5-spice and a compliment of oak. Flavorful on the attack and soft and smooth on the mid palate, with a juicy core of cherry fruit. More polished and elegant in the vintage, with less color and fruit intensity, finishing with polish. A velvet hammer of flavor. Score: 92. Reviewed January 17, 2016

Winery: MacPhail Wines
From article: Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir