2010 Eric Kent Stiling Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., $48. Cool label by artist Libby Black. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of very ripe Bing cherries, black grapes and peat moss. Very rich and sappy core of black cherry fruit with riffs of cola and toasted oak in the background. Big, bold and flashy, with a fruit-driven finish that sails along. The tannins are modest and the wine is soft in the mouth. This wine shows a Syrahlike edge to the ripe flavors and has too big a fruit load for my taste, but it is well crafted in its style in a vintage marked by heat spikes. Score: 88. Reviewed September 5, 2013

Winery: Eric Kent Wine Cellars
From article: Small Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir and a Few Whites