2012 Donum Estate Grown East Slope Carneros Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.67, TA 0.68, 132 cases, $90. 100% Calera selection. 100% de-stemmed, cold soak, two long pump overs with very few punch downs, pressed just after dryness with no extended maceration to highlight its delicacy. The free run juice was aged in 100% French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. A brawny and sappy young wine with vibrant aromas of black cherry and blackberry, bramble and grilled mushroom. Generously endowed with boysenberry and cherry flavors framed by muscular tannins that are most evident on the slightly astringent finish. Oak plays a supportive role in the background. The wine was more appealing the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle showing more extravagant fruit aromas and flavors. Still a little rough around the edges, this wine will benefit from more cellaring. Score: 92. Reviewed March 16, 2015

Winery: Donum Estate
From article: The Donum Estate: 2012 Gifts of the Land