The 1997 Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard reveals an attractive ruby/purple color, and a sweet nose of cherry/plum fruit intermixed with a whiff of green pepper, allspice, and pain grille notes. The wine is rich and fleshy, with good body, and an elegant, Cote de Beaune-like finish, with the cherry fruit component dominating its personality. It should drink well for 3-5 years. Pinot Noir yields were higher in 1997 than in 1996. While neither of the 1997 offerings equal their 1996 counterparts, they are well-made and merit attention. Ojai's Pinot Noirs are destemmed, fermented at relatively hot temperatures, and kept in barrel, on their lees, until assembled prior to bottling. As with all the winery's reds, there is no fining or filtration. All the wines made at Ojai are naturally made products - no fining or filtration, barrel-fermentation, malolactic in barrel, aggressive lees stirring, virtually no racking until assembling for bottling, and no acid additions. Tel. (805) 649-1674; Fax (805) 649-4651