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.

Hints of smoke and incense sit atop the pretty plum, dark cherry and violet scents. There is good richness to the solidly well-concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess a caressing mouth feel, all wrapped in a dusty, sappy and delicious finish.

A waft of freshly baked baguette unfurls on the nose of this wine, followed by sautéed mushroom scents, giving it earthy character. Soft and round on the palate, the fruit tends toward darker, lusher notes of blueberry and plum.

The outstanding 2014 Pinot Noir Van Der Kamp Vineyard comes from high on Sonoma Mountain. It is an impressively concentrated Pinot Noir with notes of kirsch liqueur, some underbrush and roasted herbs, loamy soil nuances, and plenty of berry fruit in a medium to full-bodied, lush and voluptuous style,. This is sexy stuff to drink over the next 4-6 years.

Bright and expressive, with a green peppercorn edge to the blackberry and spice flavors, lingering on the lively finish.

Rich and full-bodied, with a core of plum, black cherry, gravelly earth, graphite and cedar. Never loses velocity or depth, but shows fine earth and road tar flavors on the finish.

Rich and full-bodied, with a core of plum, black cherry, gravelly earth, graphite and cedar. Never loses velocity or depth, but shows fine earth and road tar flavors on the finish.

This wine is bright and crisp in strawberry and red licorice flavors, with a depth of juicy plum that adds softness and velvety texture. Tawdry earth complements the exuberant fruit.

The 2013 Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard, from the cool micro-climate, Green Valley of the Russian River, offers notes of sassafras, sweet kirsch, dusty, loamy soil undertones, underbrush and leafy fall foliage. The wine is ripe, medium-bodied, tasty and complex, but a very earthy and autumnal style of Pinot offering considerable complexity. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.

Marked by an elegant array of spicy raspberry, blueberry, anise and fine-grained, earth-laced tannins. Most impressive on the finish, where the tannins sustain the flavors.

Marked by an elegant array of spicy raspberry, blueberry, anise and fine-grained, earth-laced tannins. Most impressive on the finish, where the tannins sustain the flavors. Drink now.

One of Adam Lee's more affordable appellation blends, this delivers a lot of bang for the buck, with aromas of extracted strawberry, rich plum, sandalwood and a slate backbone. Soft red fruit starts the palate, then sharpens into cranberry, with lots of herbal spice and acidic sizzle throughout.

Adam's base appellation bottlings are superb values in 2013 and the 2013 Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills is a blend of John Sebastiano, Clos Pepe and Cargasacchi vineyards. It offers tons of pretty, perfumed fruits, black cherries, violets and spice to go with a supple, fruit-forward, yet elegant style on the palate. It's already drinking beautifully, but it will continue to impress for at least another 4-5 years.

Deep purple fruits, black sage, big cherry and woody spices arise from this wine by Adam Lee, who recently sold to Jackson Family Wines but will remain in charge. The palate shows crushed clove and allspice, licorice, graphite and more dark fruit flavors.

Bright ruby-red. Lively, focused aromas of fresh red and dark berries, rose and white pepper, with a deeper cola note emerging slowly. Spicy raspberry and boysenberry flavors are joined by a suggestion of cola on the back half. Fine-grained tannins shape the clinging finish, which leaves a gentle note of spicecake behind.

Generously fruited with a wealth of ripe cherries well-matched with temperate oak, this deep and very well-balanced bottling is one that outperforms at the price. It is long and insistent with a great sense of precision, and its fine sense of crafting makes it eminently inviting right now even though it is a wine that will age famously. Drink it up soon without guilt if patience comes hard, but know that good things lie ahead for those who are willing to wait for another three to six years.

Vivid ruby. Pungent red and dark berry scents are sharpened by a spicy element and a hint of smoky minerals. Fleshy and sweet on the palate, offering pliant black raspberry and cherry flavors and a hint of musky underbrush. Closes smooth, sweet and long, with subtle tannins coming in late to add shape and grip.

Brilliant red. High-pitched red berry and fresh rose scents are complemented by hints of white pepper and woodsmoke. Taut, sharply focused strawberry and bitter cherry flavors unfold slowly while retaining very good clarity. Smooths out nicely on the finish, which features silky tannins and a touch of blood orange.