2010 San Andreas Fault Estate Pinot Noir

Dark red cherries, spices, game and licorice all emerge from the 2010 Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault. A medium-bodied Pinot, the 2010 is harmonious and quite pretty. At times, the 2010 comes across as a bit wild and compact, as the fruit has not yet fully emerged. Today the 2010 appears to need more time in bottle to fully come together, although I imagine it will always reflect the personality of the years in its slender personality. Savory herbs, licorice and tobacco add complexity on the firm, structured finish.

Vivid red. Smoke- and spice-accented aromas of black raspberry, anise and incense. Shows assertive inner-mouth perfume and sweet red and dark berry character, along with a note of candied rose. Closes tight, tangy and long, with a resinous herb quality and silky tannins.

Dark red cherries, spices, game and licorice all emerge from the 2010 Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault. A medium-bodied Pinot, the 2010 is harmonious and quite pretty. At times, the 2010 comes across as a bit wild and compact, as the fruit has not yet fully emerged. Today the 2010 appears to need more time in bottle to fully come together, although I imagine it will always reflect the personality of the years in its slender personality. Savory herbs, licorice and tobacco add complexity on the firm, structured finish. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022. David Hirsch provided what is, in my opinion, one of the key insights into the 2011 vintage on the Sonoma Coast. Hirsch commented that 2010 and 2011 were both similar. In 2010, he noted the skies were cloudy for much of the year, while rain just before harvest complicated things. Hirsch describes 2011 as a year with very clear skies, a lot of light and cool temperatures that never exceeded 90 degrees. As for the wines, well, they are gorgeous. I have not tasted all of the 2011 Pinots, but based on the Bohan Dillon, I will not be surprised if they turn out slightly better than the 2010s, which are a bit on the slender side. Still, there can be no question this is one of the premier sites for Pinot in the United States. Ross Cobb blended and bottled the 2009s, while 2010 is the first vintage Cobb made from beginning to end. Tel. (707) 847-3600