Page 132 - Wine Spectator (January 2020)

New Releases: California
CALIFORNIA
Pinot Noir
95 Fel Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Savoy Vine-
yard 2017 $70 Unctuous and ripe flavors of dark plum,
cassis and cherry tart are filled with crunchy acidity and
supported by fine-grained tannins. Creamy midpalate,
with a long, plush and well-spiced finish that is loaded
with sanguine richness. Drink now through 2025. 396
cases made.—K.M.
95 Maggy Hawk Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Jo-
lie 2017 $65 Fine-grained red fruit and berry flavors
are refined and etched with rich spice and sandalwood
accents. The juicy finish lingers with vibrant minerality
and hot stone notes. Complex and elegant, exhibiting a
vibrant balance. Drink now through 2025. 460 cases
made.—K.M.
94 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Kan-
zler Vineyard 2017 $165 Contoured and rich-tasting,
with concentrated dark cherry, raspberry and wild plum
flavors, backed by fresh acidity. Finishes with a creamy
texture and notes of dark chocolate and Asian spice. Very
svelte, plush and powerful. Drink now through 2025. 862
cases made.—K.M.
94 MacPhail Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Mar-
dikian Estate 2017 $90 Very suave, with an unctu-
ous blend of red fruit, spice and creamy flavors, supported
by silky tannins. Raspberry and red currant notes are in
the driver’s seat, driven by sandalwood and hot spice nu-
ances. The fresh finish is loaded with minerally richness.
Drink now through 2025. 500 cases made.—K.M.
94 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River
Valley Eastside Road Neighbors 2017 $59 This is
loaded with lusciously spiced and broad-textured flavors
of cherry, plum tart and dried fig that resonate with lithe
minerality. Complex, featuring an elegant finish that is
rich and filled with light chocolate mousse overtones.
Drink now through 2026. 1,289 cases made.—K.M.
94 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River
Valley Williams Selyem Estate Vineyard 2017 $110
Sleek, with lively and pure-tasting cherry, plum and cur-
rant flavors that are well-structured. Very minerally, fea- Blueberry and minerally notes emerge midpalate, with
turing a fresh, crisp finish that lingers with spice and slate
details, along with hints of licorice. Drink now through
2026. 663 cases made.—K.M.
126 WINE SPECTATOR • JAN. 31 – FEB. 29, 2020
93 Chenoweth Pinot Noir Green Valley of
Russian River Valley 2016 $75 Sleek, filled with
sumptuous, well-knit flavors of cherry tart, red plum and
dried raspberry. Richly spiced midpalate, featuring a fin-
ish that lingers with dried savory herb and cocoa powder
accents. Drink now through 2025. 209 cases made.—K.M.
93 Coup de Foudre Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
2017 $95 Concentrated and pure-tasting flavors of red
currant, pomegranate and dark cherry are flanked by notes
of exotic spice and forest floor in this lithe, powerful style.
The finish echoes with minerality and dried savory ac-
cents. Drink now through 2025. 200 cases made.—K.M.
93 EnRoute Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Les
Pommiers 2017 $60 Rich, with voluptuous dark fruit
flavors and Asian spice accents. Dark cherry and plum
tart notes dominate, showing hints of cassis. Cedar and
sandalwood details emerge on the creamy finish. Drink
now through 2025. 13,000 cases made.—K.M.
93 Fel Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Ferrington
Vineyard 2017 $65 Concentrated dark cherry, cassis
and dried berry flavors are well-structured and flanked by
juicy Asian spice details. Features medium-grained tan-
nins, with a chocolate- and mineral-laden finish, ending
on a creamy note. Drink now through 2024. 215 cases
made.—K.M.
93 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Fort Ross-Seaview Fort
Ross Vineyard 2016 $52 Finely textured and con-
centrated flavors of raspberry, plum and red currant are
vibrant and well-focused in this svelte and direct style.
Mineral and spice notes linger on the fresh, crunchy fin-
ish, with peppery hints. Drink now through 2023. 309
cases made.—K.M.
93 Kanzler Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Walker Station 2017 $72 Bright, open-textured and
filled with intense minerality to the macerated cherry and
crushed raspberry flavors. Hints of white pepper and dried
thyme show on the delicate finish. Drink now through
2025. 165 cases made.—K.M.
93 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Russian River
Valley Keefer Ranch 2017 $165 Taut and well-
framed, showing good cut to the dried red fruit flavors.
savory richness extending on the finish. Drink now
through 2025. 2,400 cases made.—K.M.
93 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Santa Lucia High-
lands Rosella’s Vineyard 2017 $165 Intense flavors
of dried blackberry and dark currant are backed by firm
acidity and tannins in this powerfully ripe version. Forest
floor notes join hints of black licorice and baker’s choco-
late on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 488 cases
made.—K.M.
93 Land of Promise Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Terra de Promissio 2016 $75 Vibrant red currant
and raspberry flavors are backed by crunchy acidity in this
lithe style. Minerally components power through to the
finish, with saline and cedary hints and accents of fresh-
crushed savory herbs. Drink now through 2025. 200 cases
made.—K.M.
93 Maggy Hawk Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
Afleet 2017 $65 Juicy and full of richly spiced dark
cherry, mulberry and dark plum flavors that are flanked
by light iodine and hot stone notes. Shows savory focus
on the broad, plush finish. Drink now through 2024. 353
cases made.—K.M.
93 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Russian River
Valley Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard 2017 $85
Rich and powerful, with a plush texture to the richly
spiced plum compote and cherry tart flavors. Dried beef
accents show midpalate, leading to a finish filled with sa-
vory spice notes. Drink now through 2024. 766 cases
made.—K.M.
93 Wrath Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands
McIntyre Vineyard 2017 $49 Robust and powerful,
with concentrated and pure-tasting flavors of dark cherry
and dried blueberry, backed by fresh acidity. Mineral and
cardamom notes flood the lively finish. Drink now through
2025. 398 cases made.—K.M.
92 El Molino Pinot Noir Rutherford 2016 $70
Takes on mature notes, with a savory core of dried cherry
and berry flavors, supported by medium-grained tannins.
Mulled spice accents show on the rich finish. Drink now
through 2024. 600 cases made.—K.M.
92 EnRoute Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Marty’s Vineyard 2017 $85 Features lively dried
cherry and berry flavors overlain with savory richness.
Hints of bittersweet chocolate show midpalate, featuring
mocha accents on the finish. Drink now through 2024.
264 cases made.—K.M.
92 Gary Farrell Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Hallberg Vineyard 2016 $55 Finely textured, with
an elegant mix of dried cherry, red currant and plum fla-
vors, knit together by fresh acidity. Well-structured, fea-
turing a long finish that echoes with savory spice and
cedar accents. Drink now through 2024. 1,542 cases
made.—K.M.
92 J Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Eastside
Knoll Vineyard 2017 $65 Concentrated red currant,
cherry and raspberry flavors are backed by fresh acidity in
this focused and pure-tasting version. The taut finish lin-
gers with minerally richness and hints of caramel. Drink
now through 2024. 700 cases made.—K.M.
92 Kenwood Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast The Barn
2017 $75 A deep brick-red hue, this features well-
structured flavors of dried cherry, plum and wild berry,
accentuated by rich, savory notes. Features silky tannins
midpalate, with a long finish that is plush and juicy, show-
ing spicy verve. Drink now through 2024. 300 cases
made.—K.M.
92 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
Gap’s Crown Vineyard 2017 $165 Lively and juicy,
featuring cherry tart, dried fig and plum compote flavors
that are fresh and offer a touch of ripeness. The plush,
spicy finish lingers, with minerally notes. Drink now
through 2024. 2,647 cases made.—K.M.