2008 Pisoni Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate
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Tasting notes
Bright ruby. Deeper in pitch than the Garys' bottling, displaying scents of dark berries, cherry and mocha, with a touch of cracked pepper adding lift. Very rich, weighty dark berry and cherry compote flavors are slow to unfold, and pick up smokiness with air. Sweet black and blue fruit notes linger on a chewy, very persistent finish. Give this some more bottle age.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
An absolutely stunning fireworks display of aromatics emerges when the nose gets close to the glass of this dense ruby/purple-colored wine. Foresty notes, spring flowers, black raspberry, black currants, sweet cherry, and sassafras all jump from the glass. Extremely layered, velvety-textured, and opulent, with a finish that goes on for 50 seconds, this full-bodied wine has extraordinary concentration, purity, and “gravitas.” It is a sensational wine that should drink well for up to a decade. Bravo! Gary Pisoni, and of course, his vineyard, are respectively the rock star and the grand cru site of the Santa Lucia Highlands. Pisoni has hit a home run with this modern-day reference to how prodigious California Pinot Noir from cool-climate areas can be. Sadly, there are only 600 cases, but that is much more than most vignerons of grand cru vineyards in Burgundy produce. About 15% stems were used in the upbringing, and the amount of new oak, according to Gary, was around 65 or perhaps 70%. Tel. (800) 270-2525; Fax (831) 675-2557