This Pinot Noir from Durell Vineyard is distinctive in style and unique in taste. On the nose, savory aromas of smoked meats and fragrant herbs are touched with the scent of mouthwatering ripe berries. Flavors of liqueur-soaked dark cherries, with pancetta and rosemary support smooth tannins that precede a long, silky finish.

This Pinot Noir fills the glass with deliciously sweet aromas of ripe black cherries and buttery maple syrup. On the palate, freshly baked cherry strudel and jammy blueberry pie explode in your mouth, followed by an earthy dusty road towards the back of your palate. The tannins are light, well integrated, and support the silky, long finish.

88 Points - Burghound - Here the very ripe nose is more deeply pitched with aromas of plum, dark pinot fruit and again those attractive if subtle spice notes. There is good complexity to the admirably rich and well-concentrated medium-bodied flavors that possess a velvety mouth feel before culminating in a mildly tangy and warm finish. This manages to carry its alcohol relatively well though it’s by no means invisible.

American Fine Wine Competition - Gold Medal

90 Points - Wine Enthusiast - Displays the winery's house style of flashy, delicious fruit and early drinkability. Shows the brisk acidity of this cool coastal county, with a light, silky texture and penetrating flavors of raspberries, cherries, persimmons and the sweet, smoky oak of French barrels.

90 Points - Burghound - A perfumed, spicy and attractively elegant nose offers up a ripe combination of red and black cherries along with a hint of violets. The delicious, fresh and energetic middle weight flavors possess a beguiling mouth feel along with an agreeably dry and clean finish of impeccable balance. This offers excellent value.

88 Points - Wine & Spirits Magazine - Tart cranberry flavors darken into the finish of this wine. It ends on black fruit, lasting with the warmth of alcohol, leaving a firm impression as well as a note of oak. This needs a year or two in the cellar to evolve. *Best Buy

88 Points - Burghound - (Sonoma Coast, 15%). This is ripe enough where notes of menthol can be discerned along with background hints of cherry cough syrup on the otherwise pretty aromas of pinot liqueur. There is a seductive texture to the solidly dense round and supple flavors that terminate in a tangy and moderately warm finish where the warmth is less evident than the cited level would suggest.

Enticing red berry fruit aromas blend with rhubarb and cola. Delicate notes of anise and baking spices lace the fruit to unfold a rich palate of black cherries supported by medium fine-grain tannins. The finish lingers with attractive subtle toasty undertones, fine acid, and excellent balance.