2010 Pinot Noir Cuvee Isabel
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Tasting notes
Bright ruby-red. Cherry-cola and black raspberry on the intensely perfumed nose. Sexy floral and mineral qualities gain power with air and carry onto the palate, which displays potent bitter cherry and dark berry preserve flavors. Finishes impressively pure and supple, with the floral note repeating and silky tannins adding shape.
Critic scores
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Josh Raynolds
More reviews and scores
Just drop-dead gorgeous, the 2010 Pinot Noir Isabelle is a blend of the top barrels. Perfumed, elegant and red fruit-driven, with sweet red cherries, spice box, new leather and underbrush all showing in the bouquet, it is medium-bodied, concentrated and elegant, with a seamless texture and juicy acidity. Count me a fan. This knockout Pinot will have 10-12 years or more of prime drinking. Drink now-2022. Tel. (805) 963-7999; www.aubonclimat.com
Another striking wine, the 2010 Pinot Noir Isabelle bursts from the glass with serious depth. The aromas and flavors are a bit on the darker side of the spectrum in the 2010. Black cherries, licorice and sweet spices all blossom as this large-scaled, voluptuous wine opens up over time. This is one of the more overt Pinots I have tasted from Jim Clendenen in a while, but all the elements are in the right place.