2015 Ladera Pillow Road Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 860 cases, $50. Pillow Road Vineyard acquired by Pat and Anne Stotesbery in 2006 and an adjacent parcel planted in 2008 to seven acres of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. It is located in the Sebastopol Hills and vines are planted in Goldridge soil. Clones are Calera, Swan, 777 and Pommard 4. In 2015, the wines from Pillow Road Vineyard were bottled with the Ladera name for the first time. Grapes harvested at night, hand sorted and de-stemmed. 7-day cold soak, gentle maceration, and aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 65% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. The nose offers a combination of Griottines and oak-driven smoke, toast, spice and vanilla aromas. The mid weight flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and cola speak of the Russian River Valley, but there is simply too much oak tattoo revealed in contentious toast and tobacco flavors. That said, there is commendable tannin and acid balance and some finishing length. Score: 88. Reviewed April 15, 2018

Winery: Ladera Vineyards
From article: Recent Sips of California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay