2014 Bougetz Cellars The Cairn Catie’s Corner Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.58, 135 cases, $39. Harvest Brix 25.9º. Wädenswil 1A and 2A clones. 20-year-old vines. 15% whole cluster fermented. Aged 10 months in French oak barrels, 40% new and 60% once-used. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. This wine benefited greatly from air exposure, showing considerably better the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Initially the nose offered primary oak scents but more fruit emerged the next day. The mid weight core of black cherry fruit, cola and spice flavors were juicy and appealing as was the soft texture, but the oak intrusion over rode the bright fruit expression. The following day the oak overlay had lessened and the fruit had come forward with noticeable improvement. I am not sure where this wine will go, but it seems to definitely need more time in bottle to shed the barrel adjunct. Score: 88-89. Reviewed June 5, 2015

Winery: Bougetz Cellars
From article: Sips of Recently Tasted Sonoma County Pinot Noir