2015 Ayiana Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.72, TA 0.60, 175 cases, $38. Release March 2019. Label designed in honor of Mom Cynthia H. Grace who succumbed to lung cancer in 2012 and loved hummingbirds. 100% de-stemmed, native fermentation in open-top fermenters after a 5-day cold soak, inoculated for malolactic fermentation, and aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Subdued, but pleasant aromas of black cherry and black raspberry with overtones of aged barrique. Bold in a mid weight plus style, with flavors that echo the aromas. Initially a bit reserved and rustic, reaching new heights with time in the glass. A dash of toasty oak is the background and a bit of tannin shows up on the finish. More enjoyable when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle showing better tannin and oak integration. Score: 92. Reviewed February 23, 2019

Winery: Blagden
From article: Recent Tastings of California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay