This is heavenly pinot. Brash and exuberant in the nose, a filthy fruit layered over pretty rose petals and reeking of boundless spirit while anchored in bottomless black cherry. Dusty amber in the glass, clear brick deepens transparently to garnet as Amaro-esque concentration of deep berry becomes the style place-mark.
Eye-rolling concentration on the palate quickly moves aside for delicate bitters calming everything to perfect balance. Peppery briar washes all in grainy splendor into rather harsh tannic display. It’s a bit chubby and glycerin-ey, with small claims to tertiary gaining foothold here at 5, but that bitter tannin never lets go. THIS is Santa Lucia Highlands at its finest.
2018 LORING WINE CO Pinot Noir Cortada Alta Vyd Santa Lucia Highlands Monterey Co. 14.3
Stephen McConnell 