2014 Doctors Flat Vineyards Pinot Noir

(from a single vineyard planted in 2002 on very old glacial moraine soil rich in clay and silt; made with 25% whole clusters and aged in 25% new oak): Healthy dark red. Aromatic nose offers scents of raspberry, cherry and rose petal. Plush and sweet, displaying good thickness of texture but also noteworthy mid-palate energy. Finishes broad and dry, with substantial dusty tannins. Clearly a bottling to follow as the wines gain in age. This is the project of Steve Davies, who previously was the winemaker at Carrick and also worked for a number of top Napa Valley producers earlier in his career.

Fine, dark-red fruit with extremely refined texture. Light fragrance of wild herbs. The texture is already silky. (JH)