2017 Sonoma-Loeb Dutton Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.76, TA 0.65, $43. Clones 667, 777 and 115. Fermented with yeast strains from Burgundy and Germany. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose is heavily oak-inspired with aromas of toast and tobacco accompanying fruit aromas of black cherry. Better on the palate, with noticeable grace, softness and suavity, featuring a mid weight plus essence of black cherry cola flavor with a mantle of oak. The finish is long, generous and spirited but with a slight sense of alcoholic warmth. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the nose was still oak-driven, but the oak was better integrated on the palate. Score: 89. Reviewed June 19, 2019

Winery: Sonoma-Loeb
From article: Recently Tasted Sonoma County Wines