2016 Emeritus Wesley’s Reserve Hallberg Ranch Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 450 cases, $75. This debut vintage is made exclusively from a selection of the prized center blocks of Hallberg Ranch, an area that yields the vineyard’s most robust and dark-fruited wines. Wesley’s Reserve is named after Brice’s father, William Wesley Jones, a former Air Force Colonel. Aged 14 months in French oak barrels, 35% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of cherry vanilla cola and savory herbs come to the fore. A flood of blackest cherry, blackberry and Hoison flavors are framed by a healthy tannic backbone that keeps the generous fruit in balance. The wine saturates the mid palate and carries over to a boisterous finish of deep purple and black fruited goodness. Score: 92. Reviewed June 19, 2019

Winery: Emeritus Vineyards
From article: Recently Tasted Sonoma County Wines