2009 Red Car Pinot Noir The Aphorist Bartolomei Vineyard

The 2009 Pinot Noir Aphorist Bartolomei Vineyard is soft, forward and inviting. Sweet dried cherries, mint, flowers and spices are woven together in this accessible, open Pinot. The mid-weight structure suggests the wine is best enjoyed over the next few years. This is very pretty and inviting. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2015. Carroll Kemp left a career in the film industry to focus on his passion for making wine. Kemp focuses mostly on cooler-climate sites and tends to pick on the early side. The wines are made with native yeasts in a style that emphasizes juiciness and approachability, but also structure. Unfortunately I wasn’t able to taste the 2010 vineyard-designate Pinots, as they were bottled just prior to my visit. Tel. (707) 829-8500

Deep red. Wild strawberry, raspberry and a hint of incense on the highly expressive nose. Suave, sweet and silky in texture, with zesty acidity sharpening the flavors of red berry preserves, candied rose and spices. Spreads out nicely on the back end, finishing long and sweet, with no obvious tannins.