2005 Pinot Noir Rochioli

The 2005 Pinot Noir Estate offers delicious raspberry and black cherry fruit along with a hint of flowers, and crisp underlying acidity to buttress the beautiful texture and rich, heady mouthfeel. There are 4,000 cases of this cuvee, which was aged in one-third new Francois Freres barrels. Tom Rochioli told me considerable crop-thinning had to be done in 2005 to keep the Pinot Noir yields manageable. A blend of Dijon Clones 115 and 777 in addition to some of the old Pommard Clone, this stunning effort is the finest regular Pinot Noir Rochioli has yet produced. Drink it over the next 7-10 years. Kudos to Tom Rochioli, one of the wine world’s great guys who, without any fanfare, continues to turn out world-class wines of extraordinary aromatic and flavor dimensions. Previously recommended: 2004 Chardonnay Estate (91), 2004 Chardonnay Rachael’s Vineyard (95), 2003 Chardonnay Rachael’s Vineyard (94), 2004 Chardonnay River Block (95), 2004 Chardonnay South River Vineyard (96), 2004 Pinot Noir East Block (95-97+), 2004 Pinot Noir Estate (91-93), 2004 Pinot Noir Little Hill Vineyard (95-97), 2004 Pinot Noir River Block (94-96), 2004 Pinot Noir West Block (96-98), 2004 Sauvignon Blanc Estate (90). Tel. (707) 433-2305; Fax (707) 433-2358