2013 Rafael et Fils, Pinot Noir, Lauren’s Cuvee, Donnelly Creek Vineyard, Anderson Valley.
Marc Rafael has been inspired by the new generation of young winemakers and the new generation of growers making and farming to produce lower alcohol, European style wines, this especially shows in the new and elegant Rafael Lauren’s Cuvee Pinot from Anderson Valley’s Donnelly Creek Vineyard. This beautifully detailed Pinot comes in at Burgundy like 12.9% Alcohol and shows the soft and brighter side of this varietal with juicy red cherry, plum and strawberry fruits, tea spice, rose oil and dried flowers along with silky tannins, red peach notes, vibrant acidity, cinnamon stick, anise, light toasty wood/cedar and a whiff of vanilla wafer. While known for his esteemed Napa Valley estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Marc deserves a lot of credit for his new and delightful Pinot, it is a worthy and serious effort, a great addition to his lineup of hand crafted wines, drink over the next 3 to 5 years.
($35 Est.) 91 Points, grapelive
