2011CastaliaPN2011 Castalia, Pinot Noir “Rochioli Vineyard” Russian River Valley.
Rochioli’s long time serving cellar-master, Terry Bering has been making Pinot since 1985 and helps craft all the glorious Rochioli wines, while making a small production of his own wine under the Castalia label, I’ve mentioned his wines many times since first having the 1994 vintage and have been a fan ever since. While never easy to find, Castalia still can be had and the quality is always high and the value pretty fair, and at almost half the price of Rochioli’s single vineyard wines, it is always on my must have list. With Terry’s Castalia you get about half River Block fruit and other select sites on the estate and of course it shows through, even in such a tough year as 2011 this wine shows pedigree and poise with lovely fruit and super long finish. The nose starts fresh and bright with hints at red citrus, smoke and some floral notes before and racy palate of plum, cherry and cranberry to start before giving way to more cherry, strawberry, raspberry and smooth mocha while flashes of mineral, saline, fennel and earth give detail. This is a first class Pinot with nice lift and vibrancy, but with all the rich and silky feel that is a trademark in these wines.
($56 Est.) 93+ Points, grapelive

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