2010 Patz & Hall Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $45. Fruit from Gap’s Crown Vineyard is a major element in this wine, which also includes grapes from winegrowers like the Duttons, Martinellis, Charlie Chenoweth and Steve Hill. The season produced a concentrated crop with small berries and thick skins to this vintage Pinot Noir is one of the most extracted expressions of this wine ever. Wild and cultured yeast fermentations. Aged in 45% new French oak barrels. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. A full-bodied arsenal of dark berry, fruit leather, spice and raisin aromas and flavors with an earthy, forest floor undertone. A burly wine that makes no apologies for its copious fruit and tannin. Lacking finesse and nuance, it nevertheless accomplishes it’s goal in this very cool vintage. Good. Reviewed October 2, 2012

Winery: Patz & Hall
From article: California Pinot Noir from A to T