2020-05-31_Wine_Spectator

92 Banshee Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Marine

Layer 2017 $ 36 Ripe, with a spicy richness to the

vibrant raspberry, cherry and red currant flavors, turning

plush and creamy midpalate. Smoky accents show on the

luscious finish, which features light floral hints. Drink

now through 2024. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.

600 cases made.—K.M.

92 De Loach Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

O.F.S. 2017 $ 40 Offers a powerfully spicy aroma, with

flavors to match, featuring rich and crunchy red currant,

dark cherry and raspberry components. The fruity finish

is crisp and vibrant, revealing forest floor accents. Drink

now through 2024. 464 cases made.—K.M.

92 Donum Pinot Noir Carneros Single Vineyard

2017 $ 85 Delicately ripe and spicy, with rich loamy

elements to the dark cherry and roasted plum flavors, filled

with savory accents. Rooibos tea notes show on the min-

erally finish. Drink now through 2024. 1,055 cases

made.—K.M.

92 La Crema Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Sealift

Vineyard 2017 $ 60 Well-structured, with concen-

trated red fruit and berry flavors, supported by a vibrant

lattice of acidity and tannins. Minerally midpalate, fea-

turing savory richness that extends on the vibrantly spiced

finish. Drink now through 2025. 3,005 cases made.—K.M.

92 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Gap’s

Crown Vineyard 2018 $ 69 Lively, with engaging

floral and forest floor notes to the crisp, well-structured

dried cherry and berry flavors. Savory richness extends on

the finish, showing leafy details. Drink now through 2025.

1,025 cases made.—K.M.

92 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Rodgers

Creek Vineyard 2018 $ 48 Juicy, plush and well-

spiced, with touches of richness to the cherry tart, dried

berry and red plum flavors that are suave and open-

textured. Creamy nuances show on the vibrant finish.

Drink now through 2025. 1,050 cases made.—K.M.

91 Adobe Road Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap

Griffin’s Lair 2017 $ 68 Richly spiced, featuring con-

centrated boysenberry, dark cherry and plum tart flavors

that are filled with notes of baking spices. Offers a creamy

texture on the finish, with chocolate mousse accents.

Drink now through 2023. 275 cases made.—K.M.

91 Ampelos Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills Lambda:

The Magnitude Ampelos Vineyard 2016 $ 35 Notes

of hot stone accent the toothsome cherry tart and plum

compote flavors, backed by medium-grained tannins and

crunchy acidity. The minerally finish features plenty of

cigar box details, complemented by a creamy texture.

Drink now through 2024. 700 cases made.—K.M.

91 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Dairyman 2018 $ 55 Very suave and rich-tasting, with

concentrated dark cherry and plum tart flavors, flanked by

toasty notes. The creamy finish is filled with chocolaty rich-

ness. Drink now through 2023. 6,220 cases made.—K.M.

91 Chalk Hill Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

2017 $ 48 Plush, with rich chocolate notes to the dark

plum, cherry and allspice flavors. Turns creamy midpal-

ate, leading to a long, rich, mineral-infused finish. Drink

now through 2025. 6,000 cases made.—K.M.

91 De Loach Pinot Noir Green Valley of Russian

River Valley Green Valley 2017 $ 45 Delicate, with

forest floor notes to the loamy red currant and dried

raspberry flavors. Shows glistening acidity midpalate. The

finish lingers with minerally and smoky accents. Drink

now through 2025. 295 cases made.—K.M.

91 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Goldridge 2017 $ 52 Sleek, with fine-grained and

mineral-rich flavors of dried cherry and berry that are sup-

ported by vibrant acidity. Tensile midpalate, featuring a

finish flush with cedar and spice notes. Drink now through

2025. 1,140 cases made.—K.M.

91 Dutton-Goldfield Pinot Noir Marin County

Devil’s Gulch Vineyard 2017 $ 72 Ripe, with cedar

and slate accents to the macerated dark plum, cherry and

mulberry flavors. Notes of hot stone show midpalate, lead-

ing to a finish that lingers with chocolate and Asian spice

details. Drink now through 2024. 455 cases made.—K.M.

91 La Crema Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Saralee’s Vineyard 2016 $ 55 Big and ripe, featuring

concentrated dark cherry, plum and blackberry flavors

that are well-knit. Minerally midpalate, with a lively and

vibrant finish that offers concentrated cedar and spice

notes. Drink now through 2024. 1,004 cases made.—K.M.

91 Peake Ranch Pinot Noir Sta. Rita Hills John

Sebastiano Vineyard 2017 $ 60 Well-structured,

with leafy and forest floor notes accenting the lithe dried

red and dark fruit flavors, showing a ripe composure.

Medium-grained tannins support engaging minerality and

spiciness on the finish. Drink now through 2024. 300 cases

made.—K.M.

91 Ram’s Gate Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

El Diablo Vineyard 2017 $ 74 Inky notes accent the

ripe dark plum and cherry tart flavors. Juicy midpalate, with

cardamom and freshly ground Asian spice details. The juicy

finish features a creamy texture, showing hints of nectar-

ine. Drink now through 2024. 353 cases made.—K.M.

91 Ram’s Gate Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Ulises Valdez Silver Eagle Vineyard 2017 $ 78

Well-structured, with a savory essence to the dried cherry,

berry and red currant flavors. Graphite notes emerge mid-

palate, featuring a finish that lingers with spice and slate

elements. Drink now through 2024. 404 cases made.—K.M.

91 Small Vines Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast TBH

Vineyard 2017 $ 89 This offers a crisp mix of dried

red fruit and spice flavors, with minerally verve. Savory

midpalate, offering a finish that lingers with forest floor

notes. Drink now through 2023. 295 cases made.—K.M.

91 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2018 $ 39

Minerally, with a well-structured mix of dried cherry, berry

and pomegranate flavors, featuring a rich, savory edge.

Notes of hot stone and spice emerge on the broad finish,

revealing creamy touches. Drink now through 2024. 1,975

cases made.—K.M.

91 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Sangia-

como Vineyard 2018 $ 59 A minerally style, featur-

ing savory accents to the dried cherry and plum tart

flavors, backed by firm acidity. Cocoa powder notes show

New Releases: California

midpalate, offering a broad, creamy finish. Drink now

through 2024. 800 cases made.—K.M.

91 Walt Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Savoy Vine-

yard 2017 $ 75 This offers a refined and minerally caste

to the juicy raspberry, cherry and currant flavors, supported

by fresh acidity. The finish is filled with sandalwood notes.

Drink now through 2024. 300 cases made.—K.M.

90 Argot Pinot Noir Sonoma County Bastard

Tongue 2017 $ 85 A burnished, robust style, with fresh

acidity backing the cherry tart, roasted plum and dried rasp-

berry flavors. Smoke and spice details linger on the ripe

finish. Drink now through 2024. 190 cases made.—K.M.

90 Au Contraire Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2017

$ 27 Luscious creaminess accents the cherry tart,

raspberry and Christmas pudding flavors. Very spicy mid-

palate, featuring a finish filled with chocolate mousse and

pastry details. Drink now through 2023. 1,418 cases

made.—K.M.

90 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Napa Valley Eulenloch

2016 $ 90 Ripe and plump, featuring dark plum,

boysenberry and cherry tart flavors that are well-oaked.

Decadently spicy midpalate, with a hedonistic finish that

offers chocolate nougat notes and hints of pepper. Drink

now through 2023. 1,750 cases made.—K.M.

90 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley

Clark & Telephone 2018 $ 55 Fruity and rich-tasting,

this is filled with concentrated dark plum, boysenberry

and cherry compote flavors that are liberally spiced.

Peppery hints emerge as well, leading to a finish that lin-

gers with toasty notes. Drink now through 2024. 7,870

cases made.—K.M.

90 De Loach Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Estate 2017 $ 72 Rich and juicy, this offers concen-

trated dark cherry, red plum and raspberry tart flavors that

are forward and fresh-tasting. Zesty acidity lingers into

the savory finish. Drink now through 2023. 298 cases

made.—K.M.

90 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Altamont 2017 $ 65 Tightly wrapped, with notes of

cinnamon to the dried cherry and berry flavors. Shows

savory intensity and hints of dried green herbs, powering

through the finish. Drink now through 2024. 940 cases

made.—K.M.

MAY 31, 2020 • WINE SPECTATOR 111

PICK OF THE WEEK

RESERVE

CABERNET

SAUVIGNON

2018

VIRGEN

MALBEC

2019

AMERI

SINGLE

VINEYARD

PTS.

90

PTS.

92

DESCOPTRSCH.ADOS

PREMIUM

MALBEC

2019

GRAN

MALBEC

THE WORLD ́S MOST AWARDED

ORGANIC WINERY

Altitude. 4000 Ft | GUALTALLARY · TUPUNGATO · MENDOZA · ARGENTINA | DOMAINEBOUSQUET.COM Domaine Bousquet

90

PTS.

90

PTS.

91

PTS.

WS053120_buying.indd 111 3/18/20 9:57 PM