2015 Westwood Wendling Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.53, 216 cases, $72. Released May 2017. This is the closest vineyard in Anderson Valley to the Pacific Coast. 23 acres, five clones including Pommard, 667, Calera, “828,” and 115. Clones fermented separately, 25% whole cluster, 5 to 6-day cold soak, 18 days on skins. Gently basket pressed. Aged 16 months on lees in French oak barrels, 56% new. Gently fined and bottled unfiltered. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. This wine needed a day after opening to unwind. Aromas of black cherry, dried herbs and smoky oak. More fruit expression on the palate, offering tastes of black raspberry, boysenberry, blackberry and spice framed by facile tannins and a touch of oak. The fruit really comes out of its shell the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed September 24, 2017

Winery: Westwood Estate Wines
From article: Sips of Recently Tasted California Pinot Noir & Chardonnay