2008 Drew Valenti Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Pinot Noir

13.8% alc., pH 3.63, 362 cases, $36. Released in the spring 2010. This vineyard is located at the top of Greenwood Ridge, 6 miles from the Pacific ocean and 1,300 feet above sea level. This is a challenging site with harsh conditions. 100% clone 667. 40% stems, 5% whole cluster fermentation. Aged 11 months in 30% new and 70% seasoned French oak barrels. Debut single-vineyard bottling. Winemaker Jason Drew. · I really like the nose on this wine which sports black cherry jam, redwood and exotic Asian spices. Earthy and slightly smoky in the mouth with savory black cherry and black raspberry fruit in the background. Restrained but evident tannins need time to resolve and the wine as a whole needs another year in the bottle to show what it has. Very good now but will get better. Reviewed June 8, 2010

Winery: Drew Family Cellars
From article: Anderson Noir Valley Pinot Festival: After the Smoke Clears