2006 La Crema 9 Barrels Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 225 cases, $90. The most exceptional nine barrels in the cellar. Clones are 115, 667, 777, 23 and Pommard. All free-run juice and aged for 9 months in 45% new French oak. The Nine Barrel blend is layered and then racked to one-year-old French oak barrels for an additional 5 months of aging. · Deep ruby color. Ever changing aromas of Bing cherries, cherry cola, Asian spice, and oak vanillin. Rich dark blackberry fruit that is intense but not jammy. Oak plays a light supporting role. Plenty of lively acid and ripe tannins to balance the prodigious fruit. Beautifully crafted with perfect harmony. A very good wine but doesn’t yet quite deliver the emotion one expects from such an expensive wine. Cellar for at least a year or two. Reviewed July 9, 2009

Winery: La Crema Winery
From article: Sips of 2006 California Pinot Noirs