2006 Longboard Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., 1053 cases, $28. This unique winery has the motto, “wine, waves and soul.” Surfer, winegrower and winemaker Oded Shakked is the co-owner with Robert Watkins and Bruce Lundquist. Shakked was formerly the winemaker at J Winery and Vineyards. He left in 2005 to start his own label and downsized to a production level of 10,000 cases. The label has actually been producing wines since 1998, but the 2006 vintage is the first for a Pinot Noir. Grapes are sourced from the O’Neil Vineyard and Wohler Bridge Vineyard, both in the Russian River Valley. · Confected cherries and cola dominate the aromas. Elegant in style, the flavors echo the aromas. The finish is pleasing with fine-grained, slightly drying tannins. Reviewed December 16, 2007

Winery: Longboard Vineyards
From article: Pinot Noir Shootout Prelims