2016 MacRostie Thale’s Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., 983 cases, $58. This vineyard (named after Steve MacRostie’s wife) was added to the winery’s estate program in 2013. Since acquisition, the Thale’s (Thay-Lee) Vineyard has undergone significant changes to refine the farming under the direction of viticultural guru Allen Holstein. The vineyard is also home to the MacRostie Estate House. 100% gently de-stemmed, open-top tank fermentation, inoculated with select yeast strain after a 3-day cold soak, pump-overs and punch downs, aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 32% new and 20% once-used. · Light garnet color in the glass. The nose is both fruity (dark red cherry and berry) and savory (mushrooms on the grill). Light to mid weight in style, with a charming core of black cherry and blueberry fruits. A gentle, demure Pinot Noiir, with well-managed tannins and deft oak treatment. More feminine in style than most Middle Reach Pinot Noirs and some may find the juicy finish a tad shallow but I delighted in its delicacy. Score: 92. Reviewed June 19, 2019

Winery: MacRostie Winery & Vineyards
From article: Recently Tasted Sonoma County Wines