Medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir Ewald Vineyard offers expressive notes of red and black cherries, mulberries and Chinese five spice with hints of dusty soil and red currant jelly. Medium-bodied, elegant, fresh and lively, it has silky tannins and good persistence. This is classic Russian River Pinot!

Ever so slightly held back in ripeness when measured against its slighter bigger, more muscular companions, this year's Ewald edition is a vigorous, well-structured, medium-full-bodied Pinot that smacks of a cooler site without sacrifice of fruity substance. It is fleshy and firm in feel and just tight enough in the late-going to beg for a bit of age, and, if less flashy than some, it is a deep and well-defined wine whose fruity credentials are never in doubt. Tag it for drinking in the mid-term. One star.

Expressive cherry and cranberry aromas open to sleek and vibrant flavors that show fresh anise and green peppercorn accents.

The nose is a firm and linear flint and herb over red fruits. The palate is lean and focused on harder fruit and tobacco, with firm acidity.

Showing a classic Côte de Beaune-like perfume of sweet red and fruits, dried flowers, forest floor and spice, the 2015 Pinot Noir Lingenfelder Vineyard (from a combination of Pommard and Martin clones) is medium-bodied, supple and seamless on the palate, with lots of character. Like all of Adam’s wines, it's impeccably balanced, has juicy and bright acidity, and a clean finish. It shows the lighter, softer side to the Russian River Valley, yet is seamless and elegant. Drink it over the coming 4-5 years. I was able to taste Adam Lee’s full-lineup for this report, including his Russian River Valley, Sonoma and Oregon releases. It’s a big lineup, but there’s some gorgeous Pinot Noirs here. I’ve listed the wines in the order tasted, starting with Oregon, followed by Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Santa Lucia Highlands and Sta. Rita Hills.

Medium-light ruby; attractive, fragrant, herbal, cherry and strawberry fruit aroma with a hint of cola; medium to medium-full body; forward, earthy, nicely balanced, elegantly styled, red fruit flavors with some richness in the mouthfeel; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Enjoyable to drink now, though best to bottle age for a few more years. Very highly recommended.

There is a pretty array of spice elements adding breadth to the mostly red pinot fruit aromas that are laced with sandalwood and floral elements. I very much like the palate feel of the beguilingly textured flavors thanks to the solid amount of sappy dry extract that pushes the supporting tannins to the background on the lingering finish. I could basically say the same thing here that I observed about the Gary’s, e.g. that there are touches of backend dustiness and warmth but both are nits rather than outright concerns.

Deep red. Vibrant red and dark berry aromas are complicated by suggestions of cola and fresh flowers. Silky and open-knit, showing good energy and gentle sweetness to the raspberry and cherry compote flavors. Fresh and incisive, finishing on a subtle smoky note; gentle tannins add shape and grip.

Dark ruby. Expressive dark berry, floral pastille and white pepper scents show very good clarity. Sappy and gently sweet, offering juicy black raspberry and cherry flavors that show no rough edges. Fruit-driven and seamless in style; a suave floral note defines the long, gently tannic finish.

Bright ruby. Lively red fruit and floral aromas are complicated by a zesty mineral overtone and a suggestion of white pepper. Gently sweet and focused on the palate, offering energetic raspberry, cherry and spicecake flavors and a touch of smokiness. Appealingly sweet and supple on the finish, which is framed by dusty, harmonious tannins.

Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Challenging to evoke any identifiable aromas in this wine. Much better, even very tasty, on the palate with a full-bodied and focused arrow of blackberry and boysenberry fruits that are expansive and demonstrative. A luscious, very approachable wine that was still delightful the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle when a bit of spice showed up and the aromatics were more giving.

A ripe nose with plums, dry violets, and hints of black pepper. The palate is round and intense with plenty of fruit - maybe too much fruit. The finish is austere. A good entry-level pinot for Oregon.

From the Sonoma Coast, the 2014 Pinot Noir Pratt Vineyard is outstanding. This wine comes from three clones – Dijon clone 115, the Pommard clone, and the so-called Jackson clone. With good depth of flavor, hints of black cherry and raspberry along with some underbrush and loamy soil nuances, this medium-bodied, appealing, fruit-forward Pinot Noir should drink nicely for 4-5 years.

Opens with a complex mix of dusty, savory berry, herb and fine earth flavors, sustaining presence throughout. Ends as it begins, with a measure of elegance and finesse.

Opens with a complex mix of dusty, savory berry, herb and fine earth flavors, sustaining presence throughout. Ends as it begins, with a measure of elegance and finesse.

Dusty plum flavors meet baked bread aromas in this tightly-wound, tense vineyard-designated wine. It’s marked by an undercurrent of pomegranate and rhubarb, the texture taking on more savory tones of forest and black tea as it finishes.

A brilliant wine, the 2014 Pinot Noir Betty Ann Vineyard comes from the southern end of Santa Rosa and all from Dijon clone 828. This is a beauty, with dark raspberry and black cherry fruit moving toward blackcurrant, some spice box, licorice, underbrush and forest floor. It is long, juicy, round, succulent and ideal for drinking over the next 5-6 years.

The 2014 Pinot Noir Hawks View Vineyard comes from several parcels around the namesake vineyard. Matured in 40% new French oak with 10% whole cluster, it has a pure bouquet with red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit that has a lovely floral aspect. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, quite plush in the mouth. It gently fans out with hints of clove and allspice, a gentle grip in the mouth with quite a sustained finish. This is a very finely made Pinot Noir.

Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy, but pleasant aromas of black cherry and purple berry fruits. Much more personality in the mouth, with an attention grabbing attack of black cherry and olalliberry fruit and a hint of savory herbs. Nicely balanced, with fine-grain tannins and a cleansing finish.

The deep purple colored 2014 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard is an outstanding, fresh and lively effort that offers lots of sappy herbs, black raspberry and violet aromas and flavors. It's beautifully polished and has a charming, slightly straightforward feel, all of which suggest drinking over the coming 4-5 years.

This too displays a strong menthol character on the layered array of dark berry fruit aromas that is sufficiently prominent that it may not appeal to everyone. There is fine concentration and vibrancy to the opulently rich and plush flavors that also exhibit soft hints of warmth and dryness. I like the excellent depth that ultimately makes this work even though the balance isn’t quite perfect.

A bold and sassy pinot noir from two blocks at Garys’ Vineyard, most of this wine comes from the top of the hill (a third of it fermented as whole bunches), the remainder from a block at the bottom of the hill. It’s spicy, with high-toned, sweet red fruit and a parsnip-like snap. Decant it for a pasta salad or chicken with tabbouleh.

Lastly, the 2014 Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard is a fresh, bright and almost racy 2014 that has notes of plums, sappy flowers, cherries and passion fruit front and center. Medium-bodied and nicely layered on the palate, it walks a fine line with regards to too much acidity, but it holds it together and is certainly an enjoyable, pretty and elegant wine. Drink it over the coming 4-6 years.

A zesty, vibrant style, with lively cherry, plum and raspberry flavors picking up a dusty, cedary edge. This tilts toward grainy tannins on the aftertaste but the flavors remain persistent. Drink now through 2022.

A zesty, vibrant style, with lively cherry, plum and raspberry flavors picking up a dusty, cedary edge. This tilts toward grainy tannins on the aftertaste but the flavors remain persistent.