2006 B Vineyards & Habitat Green Valley/Russian River Valley Estate Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 336 cases, $55. The organically-grown fruit for this wine was hand-picked over six mornings within a 2½ week span. After de-stemming, a 3-5 day cold soak ensued. Sulfur additions were kept to the bare minimum even after MLF. The bottled wines contain less than 100 ppm total sulfur - below the maximum allowed for organically certified wines. A proprietor’s select Pinot Noir, “Sera,” less than 150 cases, is also produced (I will report on this in a future issue). · Charming demure aromas of red berries with a touch of barnyard. Solid core of black raspberry and cherry fruit with a woodsy bent. Soft and smooth with elegance to spare. Still weighted-down by noticeable, but gentle tannins, and still a bit closed. Outstanding potential, but not ready for prime time for another 6-12 months. Reviewed April 7, 2008

Winery: B Vineyards & Habitat
From article: Pinots from the Edge