2009 La Rochelle Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Block A Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

14.7% alc., 275 cases, $48. Released August 2, 2012. Martini and 113 clones. Aged 26 months in 45% new and 55% second use French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple hue in the glass. Smells like a smoke-tainted wine with strong aromas of wood smoke and tar. Unpleasant ash, smoke and tar flavors overwhelm the middleweight dark fruit core which is presented on a silky platform with supple tannins. Unsatisfactory, but I only had one bottle to review and this wine was definitely not consistent with the many wines I have had from this winery. Reviewed December 8, 2012

Winery: La Rochelle Winery
From article: More Sips of Pinot