2011 August West Sierra Mar Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.63, 129 cases, $45. Swan selection and clone 23. Aged 10 months in 66% new, 17% 1-year-old and 17% 2-yearold French oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of black cherry, spice and vanilla. Fairly intense and concentrated dark red berry and cherry fruit with complimentary oak in the background on the mid palate, finishing with some oak-laced, fruit-driven power and a rush of tannins. Tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the aromatics still had not appeared and the wine still displayed muscular tannins. This wine should benefit from cellaring at least a year. Good. Reviewed March 23, 2013

Winery: August West
From article: Recent Sips of Pinot Noir