The outstanding 2006 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast offers sweet pomegranate, cherry, and currants notes intermixed with spice and earth in a delicate, almost Cotes de Beaune-like style. The color is medium ruby, the wine moderate in body, but with beautiful sweetness and harmony. It should drink nicely for 5-6 years. Tel. (707) 942-4699; Fax (707) 942-5142

Tasted exactly two years after the vintage, Failla’s estate Pinot was so dry, tough and tight in acids and tannins as to be nearly undrinkable, although serious decanting will help it. But it’s an ager, to judge from the dense core of feral wild berries, cola, grilled meat bone and Asian spice flavors. Most of the 1,200 bottles will probably be opened too early, but if you can, hold onto it until after 2012.——S.H.(2/1/2009)—— 93

Soft and sensual, this Pinot is a real charmer. With a texture as plush as velvet, it offers a tapestry of cherry, black raspberry, currant, chocolate, orange zest and anise flavors that go on and on. Best now for its sheer lusciousness.——S.H.(12/1/2008)—— 91