2010 Heart & Hands Barrel Reserve Finger Lakes Pinot Noir

12.3% alc., pH 3.78, TA 0.62, 320 cases, $41. 54% Hobbit Hollow, 31% Elaine’s, and 23% Patrician Verona vineyards. Yield 2.0 tons per acre. 100% whole cluster. A barrel selection, aged 18 months in 52% new and 48% used Francois Frères oak barrels. · Light reddish-salmon color in the glass. Strikingly aromatic with hi-tone scents of red berries, red cherries, brown spice, molasses, beet root and spice. Very elegant and charming with a tasteful array of fruits including red cherries, red raspberries and cranberries. Wonderful whole cluster spice and a hint of root beer. Modest in weight with balanced tannins, a bright acid backbone and a wholesome finish of some persistence. Very exotic and interesting. At the end of the day, when I had a dozen opened wines to choose from, many of which were from California, this was the wine I chose to drink before and with dinner. Score: 93. Reviewed December 18, 2013

Winery: Heart & Hands Wine Company
From article: Heart & Hands Finger Lakes Pinot Noir Challenges Regional Skepticism