2015 LaRue Rice-Spivak Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., 150 cases, $70. Release fall 2018. 100% de-stemmed. Aged 20 months in French oak barrels 33% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Inviting aromas of black cherry, BBQ spice rub and floral perfume. Refined and gracious on the palate, with an amazingly generous core of black cherry fruit that seems to persist on the finish for minutes. A bit of spice and tobacco flavor adds intrigue. Not perfect, as some tannin shows up on the slightly tart finish, but this is still a very compelling wine. This vineyard is always my paramour among the LaRue stable of wines. Score: 94. Reviewed June 9, 2018

Winery: LaRue
From article: Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay