A young, vigorous Pinot that should reward some time in the cellar. Right now, it’s strong in acidity and fairly tannic despite the light texture. The flavors are interesting and complex, with not just ripe red cherries as well as all kinds of wild notes of herb tea, anise, grilled mushrooms, pine needles and persimmons. Drink this fascinating wine as it slowly changes over the next eight years.——S.H.(12/31/2011)—— 93

Tastes thick and heavy and unintegrated now, with a sappy, syrupy mouthfeel. Yet there’s a fantastic wealth of black cherry, currant, licorice and exotic, feral spice and animal flavors that seems to be a signature of this Fort Ross area. Too bad the winery didn’t hold this wine back for a while longer so we could properly evaluate it, but it seems very fine and should develop in the bottle. ——S.H.(2/1/2009)—— 90