2013 Soliste L’Espérance Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., pH 3.66, TA 0.59, 123 cases, $85. Dijon 115. Grapes hand-picked at midnight with rigorous field selection and winery hand sorting. 100% de-stemmed. Brief cold soak, fermentation of small lots with ritual manual punch downs. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 20% new. Claude says, “Aroma worthy of Le Musigny, becoming intoxicating in purity and depth….elegant and ethereal with a precise palate (“Droit” is the term in Bourgogne).” · Light garnet color in the glass. The nose says, “Drink me!” Outrageous aromas of cherry, wine cellar, rose petal and sous-bois hold up beautifully over time in the glass. My notes say, “fantastic,” referring to the delectable flavors of cherry, raspberry and spice with a hint of tobacco. Elegantly composed with benevolent tannins, a silken mouth feel and a lavish cherry-fueled finish, this wine goes down like mother’s milk but tastes even better . Score: 97. Reviewed April 1, 2018

Winery: Soliste
From article: Soliste Pinot Noir is a Modern Interpretation of the Craftsmanship of the Cistercian Monks of Vougeot