2017 Lingua Franca Pinot Noir La Bête
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Full bottle 1,344 g. From Estate Block 6 planted with the small-berried Calera clone on shallow volcanic soils. Just 175 cases made. Transparent dark garnet. Rich, concentrated nose with enormous sweetness. It may not be classic and burgundian but it's very delicious. Hint of orange syrup. Really delicious. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Pinot Noir La Bête has a medium ruby-purple color and scents of marionberry, blackberry and spiced cranberries with dried violets, mossy bark, loamy earth and sweet spices. The medium-bodied palate is silky but powerful, offering loads of lush, ripe fruits and finishing long and dense but with good freshness. Larry Stone calls this a "bruiser," and with all that fruit and firm structure, this should be an excellent candidate for cellar aging.