2016 Sante Arcangeli Split Rail Vineyard Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.60,, TA 0.63 175 cases, $49. Vineyard is located in Corralitos five miles inland from the Pacific Ocean. 20 to 30-year-old dry-farmed vines planted in gray sandstone and clay soils at 1700 feet elevation. Harvest Brix 23.0º-24.5º. Martini, Mt. Eden, Swan, 2A, 32, Pommard 4 and David Bruce selection. 95% de-stemmed., native and inoculated yeast fermentation, aged 10 months on lees in French oak barrels, 28% new. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. · Light ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of cherry anointed with oak-driven toast and burnt tobacco. Light in weight in a fresh and juicy style featuring red cherry and strawberry fruit flavors overlain with a pushy tobacco note. The silky personality appeals as does the slightly tart and quenching finish, but there is just too much oak at the forefront at this stage. More time in bottle may ameliorate some of the aggressive oak but this wine was unchanged when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 88. Reviewed March 17, 2018

Winery: Sante Arcangeli Family Wines
From article: California Pinot Noir Worth Toasting