2013 Pinot Noir
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I love the nose on the 2013 Pinot Noir Center of Effort, and it offers textbook notes characteristics of black cherries, forest floor, crushed rocks and hints of licorice. Rich, textured, balanced and layered on the palate, with terrific fruit authority that doesn't detract from its purity or elegance, drink it anytime over the coming decade. This cuvée saw just a touch of whole clusters and was brought up in 35% new French oak. This terrific estate is in the Edna Valley and they specialize in Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Their “Effort” releases are their entry level wines (which are great values), the “Center of Effort” is the flagship/estate cuvee, and they produce a tiny production Chardonnay and Pinot Noir depending on the vintage. Native ferments, moderate amounts of whole cluster, and mostly neutral French oak aging are the name of the game here.
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Jeb Dunnuck
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
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My favorite in the lineup was the 2013 Pinot Noir Center of Effort, which spent 20 months in new, once used and neutral French oak. This terrific Edna Valley Pinot offers classy notes of spice, flowers, sweet cherry and red currant-like fruit in a medium-bodied, elegant and layered wine that has fine tannin and impeccable balance. Drink it anytime over the coming 4-6 years.
A good value in California Pinot, the 2013 Pinot Noir Effort is bottled under the companion label "EFFORT," wines which are made to be more fruit driven and approachable. It's still aged 20 months in 20% new French oak and certainly doesn't give up much in terms of quality. Possessing lots of raspberry, black raspberry, crushed flowers and a touch of licorice, it's medium-bodied, pure and pretty, with good acidity and a touch of oak on the finish. It's a beautiful 2013 that's well worth seeking out.