This wine is a very dark and ripe example of Pinot Noir from a cool climate vineyard. Like some Merlot grown in the same vineyard, this fruit is powerfully concentrated and more structure than most Pinots made today. The first indication is the color, achieved without winemaker tricks of enzyme and concentrate additions. Aged on 50% new French and Hungarian oak, the wine displays a lovely, ripe aroma of dried cherries, blackberry jam and sweet, smokey oak. Once in the mouth, this is a lovely combination of fruit, allspice, smoked meat (pancetta) and sweet vanilla notes in the finish. There’s an earthiness and concentration that is really very impressive.