Babcock Pinot Noir ‘Ocean’s Ghost’ 2005

SANTA RITA HILLS | CALIFORNIA | $50
Deep purple in the glass with notes of barnyard on the nose, flavors of mature blackberry, black cherry and plum glaze, with cigar box, sage and a hint of citrus pith. Nicely integrated and complex. Medium bodied, meaning a full-throated Pinot, this. Pretty, big and forward. And more brassy than voluptuous — age having its effect. Some compare racy Pinots to Pamela Anderson; here we have Bette Midler. A very good wine. (Reviewed 10/26/13)