2011 Zepaltas, Pinot Noir Russian River Valley.
While 2011 doesn’t look to be going down in the history books as a classic vintage for Northern California, there are some great wines to enjoy, and Ryan Zepaltas has put together a gem from select lots from nice vineyard sites with his 2011 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Small producers seem to have made tough choices and serious sorting to craft their wines and the results look very promising in what was a very difficult year for the vines. The clarity and energy are pleasing and the wine shows good density of fruit and nice length making for an impressive effort. The 2011 Zepaltas Russian River Pinot starts with bright raspberry, cherry and lingonberry fruit, a pitch of peppery spice, cola and cinnamon. Everything is fresh and tangy still with this youthful wine that fills out on the palate, but it is no doubt a bit lighter and leaner that the last few years. This is a fine and transparent Pinot Noir that is easy to like, drink over the next 3 to 5 years.
($32 Est.) 90+ Points, grapelive
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