2009 Pali Wine Co. Fiddlestix Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 112 cases, $48, screw cap. Clones 667, 777, 115 and Pommard 4 from this vineyard that was planted in 1998. Aged 15 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Aromas of deep, dark fruits with hints of oak, spice and vanillin, veering to roasted fruit aromas over time in the glass. Intense and attention-grabbing flavors of blackberries, black raspberries, black currants and the faintest oak, persisting on the fruit-driven finish. Very plush and soft in the mouth. Plenty to like in this wine, but the ripeness of the fruit distracts. Good (+). Reviewed November 2, 2011

Winery: Pali Wine Co.
From article: Along the Pinot Trail in California