The 2015 Pinot Noir Hawks View Vineyard is from a combination of ungrafted vines and newer Dijon clones on rootstock, from a site that’s completely dry farmed. It’s a complex, expressive, and lightly textured beauty that shows plenty of whole cluster spice, strawberries, dried herbs and dried flower aromatics. Supple, silky and layered, with a weightless style, drink it anytime over the coming 7-8 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.

Pinot Noirs from the Santa Rita Hills vary widely in style from ripe and rich to leaner and more tightly wound, and this particular bottling falls within the former camp. It leads with relatively full and fairly juicy, black cherry aromas that are enriched with a deft touch of sweet oak, and ripeness comes through loud and clear in the ample flavors that follow. It is on the plump and full-bodied side, but it gets a good lift from acidity in the late going, and it offers plenty to like at the moment even if it has room for a few years of positive growth. One star.

The 2015 Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard is another silky, forward and elegant 2015. Cranberry, black raspberry, spice and dried herbs give way to a medium to full-bodied, elegant Pinot that has light tannin, no hard edges and lots of charm. 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.

Rich and complex, with an array of loamy earth, dark berry, licorice, sage and cedar notes. Fits together nicely, ending with tannins that give the flavors traction and length.

Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Lovely aroma of fresh cherries, cola and fertile earth. Pleasingly forward and fruit driven, with a mid weight plus core of earthy black cherry and purple berry fruits. Nicely composed with good harmony. Should develop more nuance with more time in bottle.

Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, initially restrained, earthy, red and black fruit aroma that developed with airing; medium to medium-full body; rich, earthy, cherry and dark berry fruit flavors with a hint of cola; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Appealing to taste now after some airing, though deserving a few more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended.

Siduri's 2015 Pinot Noir Ewald Vineyard is just as attractive from bottle as it was from tank. There is a good bit of translucence to the red berry and stone fruit flavors. Today, the Ewald is a bit firmer than it was as a barrel sample, but that is likely a reflection of a closed phase for the wine. A kick of blood orange adds brightness to this expressive, inviting Pinot Noir from Siduri.

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.