2011 Alfaro Family Vineyards, Pinot Noir, Lester Family Vineyard at Deer Park, Santa Cruz Mountains.
Only three barrels were produced of this pretty handcrafted Pinot by Richard Alfaro, and the rich and round flavors make for a very rewarding wine. I’ve been a big, big fan of this wine since 2005, and I almost think this might be a best vintage yet, especially with the under 13% alcohol that is giving this lush textured wine some refreshing qualities and elegance, while remaining forward and showy. The 2011 Alfaro Deer Park delivers racing big Russian River like flavors, but with Santa Cruz Mountains class, making for a Pinot that feels big in the mouth, silky and still with balance and focus, I just adore this wine, even with my bias, this is great juice, though there isn’t ever much available, a rare bird indeed. The nose is bursting from the glass with warm toasty oak, flowers, spices and red fruits leading to a lavish palate of cheery, plum and wildberry fruits with hints of sweet herbs, anise, mocha, cola bean and tangy cranberry, finishing long and lively with dried currants, dry tannin and vanilla. This wine feels dense and ripe considering the vintage and alcohol, showing a talented touch of winemaking, one new French barrel was used along side two used, so it does show some wood, but very pleasing and hedonistic, look for it to really tame over the next year in bottle, drink from 2014 to 2018, Sexy stuff no question.
($40 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
