2016 Morgan Rosella’s Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.61, TA 0.59, 99 cases, $64. Pisoni “clone” and Dijon 777. Vineyard planted in 1996 and benefits from the fog and breezes from its eastern exposure at the Santa Lucia Highlands bench land location. 100% de-stemmed, fermented in opentop tanks. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Complex aromatic profile that includes scents of dark cherry, spice, and fertile earth. Forward-drinking in a middleweight style featuring dark red and blue toned fruits and spice. The wine sports non obtrusive tannins and a lip-smacking finish. I prefer versions from this vineyard that are more feminine and red fruited, but this wine has class. A little more giving when tasted on the second day after opening. Score: 92. Reviewed August 24, 2018

Winery: Morgan Winery
From article: Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir