2015 La Pitchoune English Hill Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.59, 48 cases, $68. Dijon 115, 667 and a Vosne-Romanée selection. Harvest Brix 23.0º and 23.4º. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 25% new, 25% once used and 50% four years or older. (This vineyard is located at the northern end of the Petaluma Gap and is always windy so the skins are super thick resulting in higher phenolic levels. The higher phenolic levels can stress the yeast and this can cause a smokey character in the wine. The Vosne-Romanée selection also contributes to that character. The vineyard was also a former cattle pasture) · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Shy aromas of red berry jam, tobacco and smoke. The wine is blessed with plenty of cherry and cranberry fruit in a mid weight style, but not as exuberant as the Holder bottling. There is a noticeable smoky component to the flavor profile. The wine was more amendable when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, but I suspect this wine needs a few years in the cellar. Definitely a terroir-driven wine. Score: 91. Reviewed February 23, 2019

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