2011 Siduri "Pisoni Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir

Although a bit understated, the 2011 Pinot Noir Pisoni is nicely layered in this vintage. The 2011 is a relatively laid back wine from the Pisoni vineyard, yet there is wonderful finesse and a nuanced, textured quality to the fruit that is highly appealing. Sweet cherries, flowers, herbs, spices and crushed rocks flow through to the pointed finish. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2016. Adam Lee describes 2011 as the coldest vintage he has ever seen. Nevertheless, the 2011 Pinots are very, very pretty, and also in line with previous years in terms of their overall quality. Severe selection was the only way to do that, and it is quite clear that is exactly what Lee did. A higher percentage of barrels ended up in the appellation wines, a testament to the exacting standards at Siduri. I tasted all of the 2011s as final blends, from barrel.