A completely different animal, the 2007 Pinot Noir Estate reveals a darker ruby color as well as more forest floor/floral character intermixed with sweet black cherry, wild strawberry, and spicy notes. There is no evidence of any oak in this full-bodied Pinot. With silky smooth tannins, impressive richness, and admirable elegance, minerality, and purity, it will be even better in 4-5 years, and should last for 12-15+ years. This iconic winery continues to offer wines with personalities and styles that set them apart (especially the estate wines) from just about anything else readers will taste from California. Estate grown as well as purchased grapes are utilized in their less expensive Saratoga Cuvees. Tel. (888) 865-9463

Sharp in acidity and jammy in cherry-raspberry fruit, with a spicy coat of smoky oak, this young Pinot Noir is just too tough for immediate enjoyment. This is a wine with a reputation for ageability. It will probably blossom after 2013. If you drink it now, give it a good decant.——S.H.(7/1/2010)—— 90