Medium reddish purple color in the glass. Very savory on the nose with scents of underbrush, dried herbs, musk and black fruits. Long and lush, with oak-kissed flavors of black cherry and black raspberry, framed by defined tannins. Aggressive on the attack, with a broad presence on the palate, and good finishing length.

With fairly obvious oak lending a degree of creamy richness right from the start, yet a Pinot that takes its lead first and last from plentiful, very accessible fruit, this wide-open wine holds little back. As Pinot Noirs go, it is moderately full-bodied and slightly rounded in feel, and, although it shows a light trim of youthful tannin, it is nothing near to rough. It is, in fact, engaging stuff even now and can be enjoyed while still very young, but it has the stamina and structure to guarantee successful keeping and should gain in complexity over the next three or four years.

A discreet touch of crushed leaf is present on the Asian-tea inflected red and dark currant-scented nose. The middle weight flavors also possess good volume and a lovely mouth feel while delivering solid depth and length on the focused, dusty and sneaky long finish. I like the slow build-up in intensity and this should reward 6 to 8 years of cellar time yet be approachable after only 3 to 5.

Features a tight, vibrant core of snappy, zesty wild berry, black cherry, licorice and anise flavors that is pure, focused, persistent and lingering.

Nutmeg, allspice and chestnuts provide a warmth and sense of hearth to this robust, full-bodied wine, from a special site in the heart of Santa Rosa. Candied cherry dominates on the palate, the wine bright yet sultry, with a healthy, generous body and length.

The 2013 Pinot Noir Parson’s Vineyard, from clones 115, 777, Pommard and a handful of others, offers forward, supple, rather flamboyant red and black fruits, spring flowers and forest floor. It is rich, nicely textured and the luscious, sexy style of Pinot Noir that Adam Lee does so well.

Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Great purity of Bing cherry fragrance, with added hints of cake spice, oak spice and chocolate, holding up beautifully over time in the glass. Nicely composed with supportive oak bringing out the best in the mid weight dark cherry core. The tannins are well balanced, and the pleasant finish has a bright tick of refreshing acidity.

Medium ruby color; rich, focused earthy and cherry aromas; rich, ripe blackberry flavors with cola and herb accents; good structure and balance; long finish. Ripe, rich Pinot with earthy notes that are perfect for mushroom pasta.

This is both fresher and more elegant with its layered and airy nose of various red berries, in particular cherry, with plenty of floral character adding to the sense of elegance. There is lovely delineation and focus to the utterly delicious and seductively textured middle weight flavors that culminate in a lingering finish where a hint of bitter cherry appears. This is presently quite tight and thus should definitely benefit from a few years of bottle age.

The outstanding 2013 Pinot Noir Lingenfelder Vineyard, made from old-school, heritage California clones such as Martini and Pommard, is a cool site and is one of the last vineyards they harvest. Lush and ripe, the wine has a deep ruby color and notes of black cherries, raspberries, damp earth, underbrush and Asian spices. This is an attractive, complex, medium to full-bodied, round, juicy, succulent style of Pinot Noir to drink over the next 5-6 years. Sadly, it is one of the smaller cuvées of 249 cases.

This is restrained to the point that only aggressive swirling coaxes the otherwise cool and pure mix of red cherry liqueur, violet and plum aromas to reveal themselves. There is excellent volume to the broad-shouldered and well-concentrated medium weight plus flavors that possess a caressing mouth feel, all wrapped in a dusty and palate coating finish where once again hints of warmth and bitter cherry appears. This is almost robust and will appeal more to those who enjoy power pinot.

This young wine is finding its way, tight and grippy still, with a strong sense of oak and tannin. Leathery and savory, with a suggestion of the rustic, it offers a crispness of black cherry and plum on the finish. Drink now after a slight decanting.

2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Six Years Later: Suspended in Time October 27, 2012 88, August 2018 90 Note: Very appealing now with waves of fresh black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors, a silky texture and admirable balance.

Damp forest floor give this wine a strong character of earthiness and wintery, savory notes, surrounded by intense black cherry, oak and firm, sizable tannins. Enjoyable now, the wine also shows promise for the future, able to relax through 2020.

From an unusual site long sourced by the producer, this vintage carries through in terms of intensity of flavor. Black tea and spice-tinged pomegranate surround a weighty structure of velvety tannins. Explosive dark cherry and raspberry complete the picture.

2012 Siduri Pinot Noir Six Years Later: Suspended in Time April 19, 2014, 91, August 2018 90 Note: Somewhat woody/oaky nose prevents higher score.

There’s an intensity of cola-cinnamon spice and clove within the aromas and flavors of this single-vineyard designate, intriguing invites to explore further. Pure, crisp and focused raspberry and earth follow, with a subtle use of oak that allows the fruit and varietal exoticness to speak.

For reasons unknown, this year's Shea designate does not have the same concentration as past vintages. The blackberry fruit is accented with orange peel and pekoe tea, and finishes with drying, astringent tannins. Ample aeration is recommended.

Though clearly aimed at a super reserve tier, the Pas de Nom doesn't quite deliver the goods. At first taste it's a stiff, earthy wine, with herbal flavors of seed and stem competing with its medium-bodied blackberry fruit. It was given just 10 months in roughly one-third new French oak. Ample aeration is recommended.

Lynn Penner-Ash's pinot noirs, typically plush and ample, gain their mineral edges from the shallow soils and wind barrage at Zena Crown. This wine starts off dark and velvety, with a purple core of fruit that lightens with air as the flavors become leaner, more mineral and more elegant. It still has some baby fat and could use some time in the cellar before serving with herbed pork loin.

Deep ruby color. Aromas of cool raspberries, black cherries, dusty earth, some rhubarb and rose petals. Medium-full-bodied with suave tannins and moderate acidity, the black cherry and sweet raspberry fruit is chewy but fresh. I get elements of eucalyptus, rose petal, sweet violets, hints of cedar and clove. Bold but vibrant, and a great intro this producer’s excellent Pinot Noirs.

The nose is an elderberry and fig/chocolate with shadings of sassafras and violet. The palate is precise in its entry. Dark fruits predominate with notes of spice and florals finishing with slightly waxy feel.

Moderate garnet color in the glass. This nose is entirely seductive over time, exhibiting aromas of black cherry, fertile soil and warm spices. A very forward and friendly wine featuring middleweight flavors of black cherry and blackberry fruits that have an expansive presence in the mouth and finish with stellar length. There is a significant tannic backbone and the right touch of nutty oak.

This dark red colored Pinot Noir from Oregon opens with a very inviting bouquet of plum with a hint of black raspberry and tea. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied and nicely balanced between its acidity and fruit. The flavor profile is a tasty red plum with hints of red cherry, black pepper and milk chocolate. The finish is dry and its flavors and mild tannins drift away nicely. I would pair this very nice Pinot with a grilled salmon burger or a rack of lamb with rosemary and garlic.