SANTA RITA HILLS | CALIFORNIA | $45
Medium-bodied showing mature strawberry with cherry and dark berry plus notes of forest floor, allspice, rhubarb and iron minerals. Balanced and playful, with well-integrated, complex flavors lounging lazily on the palate and lingering for a lasting finish, then a perk of noted, but natural acidity livens up the act — as if Chet Baker yields for a brief moment of Gene Krupa. Needs a little time to open up and settle down, but the reward is an artistically crafted wine from a winemaker with a distinct point of view. A very good wine. (Reviewed 8/1/10 and 3/30/12)
