2011 Big Basin Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard
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A beautifully expressive, perfumed and complex effort, the 2011 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard offers up notions of dried cherries and plum-like fruit, dried spices, violets and licorice. More peppery nuances develop with time in the glass, and it's light and graceful on the palate, with notable richness and length paired with integrated acidity. This beauty comes all from the Lester Family Vineyard in the Santa Cruz Mountains, was fermented with 15% whole clusters and spent 16 months in 57% new French oak barrels. Already delicious, enjoy it over the coming 3-5 years.
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Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright red. Fragrant aromas of dark berries, cherry pit, licorice and resinous herbs. Chewy and slow to open, offering up bitter cherry and black raspberry flavors with some coaxing. An earthy flourish on the back half calls Burgundy to mind but the sweet fruit is all California. Finishes chewy and long, with mounting tannins and a jolt of spiciness. More bottle age should bring more flesh.
The 2011 Pinot Noir Lester Family Vineyard is quite a bit more floral, perfumed and delicate than the Coastview, partly because of the greater inclusion of stems here (30%). It will appeal most to readers who appreciate the savory side of Pinot. Although a bit light, I especially like the focus and energy here.