Stanly Ranch Pinot Noir

I couldn’t get over the 15.5%... it was all over the top for me.

I gotta say that this was probably wine of the night. Probably the pork tenderloin with mole is one of the reasons. A heavier Pinot Noir than most with a smooth velvet roll across the tongue. Nice sharp fruits and a relaxed acidity. Darker color than most other Pinot Noirs as well. The color immediately tells you that this is going to be a different Pinot experience.

This deep, well structured Pinot is gorgeous showing a wonderful berry, cherry and spice fruit aroma that carries through to a full palate of blackberry and cherry with complex spice, a touch of oak on fine tannins. Lively acidity gives the wine good balance and carries through the finish with a creamy characteristic ending with notes of cacao.

Mmmmm just a delish bottle of Pinot. Thankfully, not as dark or full bodied as I remember my last bottle being. This had some restraint, but was still pretty richly textured. Gorgeous lighter color, but beautiful perfumes notes of cherry, herbs, and red licorice. Palate is freaking smooth as a babies bottom. Just an enjoyable quaffer.

First red wine of the tasting at Oakton Wine Shops Bucket List Tasting and second wine at Table #1.

Light garnet red. Layered and light nose with red cherries, floral notes, light spices and a touch dirty. Medium tannins (5/10) with similar acidity and light body. Sweet red fruits on the palate with a touch of heat. Steely medium plus finish. Drink till 2018.

This is at least at the 9.0 level. Not a fruit bomb, and not tannic. Right in between a bit chewy/gummy but in a good mouthfeel way. Very drinkable, luscious and opulent. Not for the purist burgundy lover but enjoyable if u are one.

Utterly delicious liquified silk.

Our last Cherry Pie from a discovery a few years back. Still delivers that initial aha memory. Bold strawberry, with barnyard undertones.

Cherry Pie Pinot 2012! Wow! Great big juicy Pinot loaded with Berry fruit that just gets better and better. The third Pinot Noir of the day on Sunday with family Memorial Weekend. CB 94 here.

Finally trying Cherry Pie (from Hundred Acre). 3 different single vineyard Pinots from 2012. Stanly Ranch is dynamite (and a vineyard to keep an eye on). Reminiscent of Kosta Browne. Next up is Rodgers Creek. Darker fruit. Less explosive, but a nice wine. Third up is Carinalli. Way lighter, though some spice to it. It's fine, but doesn't hold a candle to the other two. (Thanks Mastro's in Scottsdale for hosting me!)