Chalone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015

The 2015 Estate Pinot Noir is composed of 100% estate vineyard fruit. The inviting aromas of ripe cherry, blueberry, and baking spices are well defined. The dynamic palate shows a beautiful balance of bright raspberry and plum complemented by notes of root beer and nutmeg. A wet stone minerality neatly ties up all these elements on the lingering finish.

This dry, low-yielding year impacted the fruit in this bottling considerably, as it shows loads of dried-out black cherry and raisin-like fruit as well as cola spice. A flash of acid starts the sip but then it also dries out toward prune and blackberry-paste flavors. The appellation's reliable structure keeps the tannic tension, however.