2016 Joyce Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Submarine Canyon, Monterey County.
Russell Joyce’s regional Pinot Noir cuvee, the Submarine Canyon, is one of the best deals on Pinot around, especially this 2016 which shows impressive fruit, textural grace and lifting acidity in a pretty aromatic wine that is close to outstanding. A deep ruby/garnet in the glass and with a perfume of rose petals, spice, red fruits and mineral tones that leads to a medium weight, low/moderate alcohol, graceful satiny smooth tannins and lively palate that flows with racy cherry, raspberry, strawberry and tangy plum fruits with a mix of dusty spices including shaved cinnamon, Tahitian vanilla and faint pepper along with hints of chalk, minty herb and sweet tea. Coming from selected sites, with ancient glacial soils consisting of sand and shale loam, the Submarine Canyon delivers a wonderful cool marine influenced performance that reminds me of Melville and Radio Coteau in style and overall impression, though not in exact flavors of course, there is a lot to enjoy here and this is a lot of Pinot Noir for the price. The 2016 wines from Joyce are all stellar, it certainly looks to be on the next level for this Monterey County winery, in particular you’ll want to check out their Tondre Grapefield Syrah and the amazing Gabilan Pinot Noir while they are still available, but don’t over look this tasty little wine. Lingering and silky this is a wine that provides an appealing and pleasing drinking experience right now, but it has enough structure and complexity too age another 3 to 5 years with ease.
($25 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive

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