2018 En Garde Passion De La Reine Reserve Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

15.2% alc., 131 cases, $70. Clones 23 and Pommard. Harvest Brix 26.0º. A barrel selection. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, turmeric spice and unlit cigar. Similar to the Starkey Hill bottling in purple and black fruit profile but this wine is a bit more refined and grows on you over time in the glass. Toasty oak shows up in the background as a compliment and the tannic backbone is enough to escape flabbiness. The fruit is infused with many spices including cardamom that are more evident on the somewhat persistent finish. The alcohol is well-buried. A little more enjoyable when tasted the following day from a previously opened bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed February 28, 2021

Winery: En Garde Winery
From article: Recently Tasted 2018 California & Oregon Pinot Noir