2012 Ancillary Cellars Sun Chase Vineyard Whole Cluster Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $55. This wine is meant to bridge the gap between the ripe California style of Pinot Noir and the Old World style. Clone “828.” · Moderate reddish purple hue in the glass. The nose is pleasant but unusual and hard to describe with only a hint of black cherry and a touch of floral bouquet. Very soft and smooth on the palate with an earth-kissed core of cherry fruit. Not as giving and a little more structured than the regular Sun Chase bottling, although the tannins are still rather suave. Score: 89-90. Reviewed February 8, 2015

Winery: Ancillary Cellars
From article: Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay