2012 Alban North Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Also just bottled, the 2012 Pinot Noir was completely destemmed and aged in 60% new French oak barrels. Another wine that needs short-term cellaring, it has classic dark berry fruits, earth, violets and floral notes in its full-bodied, structured personality. Still a little rough around the edges, yet with plenty of raw material, give it another year or two and enjoy bottles through 2022. These 2012s from John and Lorraine Alban showed beautifully from barrel, and didn’t disappoint from bottle. These are serious wines worth checking out. Tel. (805) 546-0305; www.albanvineyards.com
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Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeb Dunnuck, Wine Advocate
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Black cherry, plum, cloves, smoke, new leather and licorice meld together in the 2012 Pinot Noir. Ample, rich and dramatic in the glass, the 2012 is all about power and intensity. This explosive Pinot from volcanic soils is explosive from start to finish. The 2012 was aged in 60% new oak, all of which it handled with grace.