This deeply scented Russian River Pinot Noir displays aromas of dried cherries, raspberry, pomegranate, and cinnamon.  Fresh fruit bursts on the palate, adding notes of black plum, red cherry and vanilla. The balance is seamless from entry to finish and invites a host of food pairings, from vegetable dishes to roasted meats to spicier fare. The 2012 vintage was dry and temperate from start to finish for Pinot Noir, ideal in allowing slow and uniform ripening. Three clones of Pinot Noir complement each other, Pommard provides sheer fruitiness and mid-palate, Swan yields spicy black fruit, and Dijon 777 imparts structure, color and complexity­and the individual contributions mesh beautifully. Individual lots were barreled in French oak immediately after pressing. The blend was assembled after a year in oak, put back to barrel age for an additional seven months and then bottled unfined.