2011 MacPhail Sundawg Ridge Vineyard Green Valley of Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.54, TA 0.57, 394 cases, $49. Released fall 2013. Harvest Brix 24.3º-24.7º. Pommard, 115 and Calera clones. Aged 11 months sur lie in 50% new, 25% 1-year-old, and 25% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of redwood forest, briar, and red cherries and berries. Mid weight flavors of black cherry and black raspberry with an oak-driven cigar, herb and toast overcoat. Dense and sappy with managed tannins and a silky, somewhat lengthy finish. Tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine still showed overbearing herbal oak. Score: 86. Reviewed May 15, 2014

Winery: MacPhail Wines
From article: Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir