The 2000 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard boasts a saturated deep ruby/purple color as well as a fabulously complex perfume of spring flowers intermixed with cherry liqueur, raspberries, and minerals. As the wine sat in the glass, notions of smoke and cola emerged from this big, intense, extravagantly rich, full-bodied, opulent Pinot. It should age effortlessly for 7-8 years. This is super-duper stuff! Over the last few years, Siduri has garnered a high reputation for limited production, interesting, high quality Pinot Noirs made from some of California and Oregon's finest Pinot Noir vineyards. One might quibble over the number of offerings, but they are all individualistic efforts, even though they are treated much the same (i.e., aging in Francois Freres barrels - 15% to 65% new, little racking, and bottling without fining or filtration). Pricing is realistic for wines of such caliber. Tel. (707) 578-3882; Fax (707) 578-3884

Big, firmly structured and built to last, this Pinot starts off tight. But dark fruit flavors explode on the palate, delivering plums and black cherries by the bushelful. The long, softly tannic finish suggests cellaring until 2005 or beyond. Editors’ Choice.——W.E.(10/1/2002)—— 93