94 Points All American 2016, Rusty Gaffney – Prince of Pinot
“At the conclusion of each year, I name my favorite domestic Pinot Noirs for the year. It is the American way to name the best, but each year the task becomes more challenging because the number of exceptional Pinot Noirs from California and Oregon continues to increase. There are nearly 3,000 producers of Pinot Noir in California and Oregon, and almost every producer offers multiple releases in any one vintage, meaning there could easily be over 10,000 American Pinot Noirs released into the marketplace each year.”
Pinotfile’s notes on the 2014 Spell Weir Vineyard Pinot Noir
“Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Highly aromatic, with scents of cherry, exotic spices and potpourri. Plenty of flavor is packed into the mid palate and finish of this mid weight, captivating wine that features black cherry and black raspberry fruits embellished with a deft touch of oak and a bit of umami. Structured tannins are slightly astringent at this early stage. The finish is one to celebrate, with extraordinary black cherry aromatic persistence. This zesty wine is cause for celebration.”
