2014 Byron Julia’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 342 cases, $45. Pommard 4 clone. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 39% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is dominated by oak-driven scents of coffee grounds and toast. Much more appealing on the palate, with mid weight flavors of dark red cherries and berries and heavy accents of oak toast and spice. Forward drinking and nicely balanced with sleek tannins, yet oak currently plays too big a role for me in this wine. Still replete with oak-infused black cherry flavor when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 87. Reviewed December 13, 2016

Winery: Byron Vineyard & Winery
From article: Final California Wine Reviews of 2016