2003 Clos Saron Home Vineyard Sierra Foothills Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., 32 cases, $45. Ripening was more even in this vintage. There was Botrytis pressure for the first time. Once again, Gideon and Saron were removing individual defective grapes from otherwise beautifully ripe clusters. The wine seemed similar to the 1999 vintage when bottled showing a powerful presence. Unlike the 1999, there was a distinctive chocolate aftertaste early on. · Very dark ruby in color. Barnyard and mushroom scents dominate. Woody tart cherry flavors with noteworthy drying tannins on the finish yet to be shed. Muscular but not harsh. Needs further time in the cellar. Reviewed December 3, 2007

Winery: Clos Saron
From article: Clos Saron: Artisan Wines