2011 MacPhail Vagon Rouge Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.71, TA 0.56, 135 cases, $65. Released spring 2014. Sourced from Mardikian Estate Vineyard (Sonoma Coast), Susanna’s vineyard (Green Valley) and Lakeview Vineyard (Green Valley). Harvest Brix 25.5º-27.0º. Pommard, Wädenswil 2A, Calera, Dehlinger Swan and a suitcase clone from Gopher Hill. Aged 11 months sur lie in 33.3% new, 33.3% 1-year-old, and 33.3% 2-year-old French oak barrels. · Dark reddish purple hue in the glass. Oak dominates the prodigious fruit in this wine which features a lush core of Bing cherry fruit laced with cola and anise flavors. Bombastic, yet velvety smooth with integrated tannins and a touch of heat on the sweet and almost numbingly concentrated finish. Score: 88. Reviewed May 15, 2014

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