2008 Chasseur Pinot Noir Umino

There are only 150 cases of the 2008 Pinot Noir Umino, which, like its siblings, is bottled with no fining or filtration. Its dark ruby/plum color is accompanied by fragrant aromas of black raspberries and black cherries, fresh acids, spicy wood and a savory, medium to full-bodied mouthfeel. This complex, intriguing Pinot should be consumed over the next 7-8 years. Chasseur is a Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialist, and a fine one at that. What follows is not the entire portfolio, but it is a relatively comprehensive look at four Chardonnays and then a bevy of Pinot Noirs from both the 2008 and 2009 vintages. I was able to taste eight already bottled 2009 Pinot Noirs and nine 2008s. The 2008s include several generic bottles such as the Russian River and Sonoma Coast offerings. The single vineyard Pinot Noirs primarily come from Russian River sites with the Joyce from the Sonoma Coast. The alcohol levels range from a low of 14% to a high of 15%, and production levels are modest with several in the 75-125 case range. Tel. (707) 829-1941