2011 Chasseur, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley.
The Chassuer wines are some of California’s finest examples of regional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir hand crafted by the talented William Hunter, year after year this label does extraordinary wines of rich detail and character, and this 2011 Russian River Pinot Noir adds greatly to it’s reputation, this is an amazing effort for such a tough vintage, in fact I liked it as much as the 2007 and 2009 wines which also were spectacular. The perfumed nose leads with violets, roses and tea spices along with red berry essence folding into the pure Russian River palate which shows black cherry, plum, raspberry and currant fruits, hints of cinnamon, fig, cola bean and mineral all add to the complexity found in this beautiful and graceful Pinot Noir. There is such glorious texture and soft tannin plus focused lifting acidity giving lift and balance to this well judged and pleasure filled wine, I can only marvel at the sublime touch of the winemaking. Drink now through 2018, this is a great artisan effort, be sure to look for this limited production gem.
($38 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive