2012 August Briggs Napa Valley Pinot Meunier

14.5% alc., 200 cases, $40. Sourced from Frediani Vineyard in Calistoga. 100% de-stemmed, 2-day cold soak, inoculated with Assmanhausen yeast. Inoculated for malolactic fermentation, aged 9 months in French oak barrels, 25% new, and 75% two and three-year-old. Unfined and unfiltered. · Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of red fruits and balsam lead to a cherry dominated wine accented with hints of purple fruits and oak. The wine is smoothly textured with suave tannins, and very drink able, but not particularly complex. Hard to tell this from a Pinot Noir in a blind test. Score: 88. Reviewed June 14, 2015

Winery: August Briggs Winery
From article: Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir