2012 W.H. Smith Maritime Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., $58 (I have seen it discounted to $42). A blend of grapes from several small growers. Winemakers are Bill and Jean Smith who craft the wine in Angwin. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Toasty oak is at the forefront on the nose with aromas of cigar and vanilla. The charming black cherry and black raspberry fruit core is overlain with aggressive oak. The mouthfeel is satiny and the finish offers up a generous charge of fruit and spice. I have mixed feelings about this wine because the fruit is very classy but there is an onerous whack of oak. Score: 89. Reviewed April 2, 2016

Winery: W.H. Smith
From article: Many Exceptional Pinot Noirs Reviewed