2012 Alfaro Family Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Garys’ Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands.
The 2012 Garys’ Pinot thrills with bold fruit, luxurious textures and depth, Richard Alfaro has done very nice job here crafting a hedonistic and lavish wine that still has energy and verve. With most of the Garys’ I’ve tried from 2012 you saw alcohols closer to 15% or more, Alfaro’s comes in at 14.5%, and while this is not a lighter version, it does show fine focus and life, but don’t kid yourself this is no wallflower, the Garys’ is as sexy and lush as ever. The 2012 Alfaro Santa Cruz Mountains Estate offerings might offer more delicacy and interest, you would not want to miss this vintage of Garys’ with it’s flamboyant dark core of black and red fruits that gives a full bodied Grand Cru class density and rich intensity. I must admit I adore this bottling, I have always been a fan of this vineyard and in particular Alfaro’s rare version, I think the 2012 might be the best yet, though I have high hopes for 2013 too, as 2013 in both the Santa Lucia Highlands, and Alfaro’s home vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains had a great vintage, which I’ve rated a notch higher overall. The Alfaro Garys’ Pinot compares well against the Roar, Lucia by Pisoni and other top Santa Lucia Highlands producers and offers a great or better value price wise, so I highly recommend searching this one out, especially if you are a Garys’ fan. The 2012 Alfaro Garys’ Vineyard starts with classic deep hues, very forward fruit, light floral tones, sweet smoky oak framing along with silken tannins and an alluring creamy mouth feel with blackberry, plum, black cherry as well as mixed baking spices, cedar and briar notes. Lingering kirsch, dried currants, mocha/vanilla and raspberry add to the complexity to this flavorful and loaded Pinot which should drink impressively for another decade, Garys’ Vineyard wines have surprising age worthiness and are very rewarding, even though they please immediately, best from 2015 to 2022.
($45 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
