2008 Cottonwood Canyon Estate Pinot Noir, Michelle's Hillside, Santa Maria Valley

SENSORY ASSESSMENT:

Still. Darker garnet with good clarity and a magenta-hued rim. Medium maple smoked bacon aromas, a stemmy, peppery note and light bramble-like fruit make up the bouquet. Soft but not flabby in the mouth, with good acids, slight tannins, lower medium body with some heat. A hint of cream and light intensity bright, briary fruit in the mouth. The wine gets very warm in the transition to the finish. The medium finish is initially a bit drying before revealing a melange of juicy cranberry-bramble flavors and spice notes. On the second day, pleasant stemminess and slight cherry aromas dominate. Fruit flavors become more declared and more plush. The wine is more balanced and even in the mouth and the heat is not as assertive.

OPINION:

Released without the four years of bottle ageing typical of Cottonwood Canyon Pinot Noirs, this wine is beginning to mature but still has some life ahead of it. The other major stylistic departure here is the alcohol level which is more assertive than in previous releases. This wine opens up with decanting and offers good complexity. If the heat is not an issue, it should please enthusiasts of Cottonwood Canyon wines. For some, the heat may not play well with very spicy dishes. Drink now through 2014 (if cellared appropriately).