A restrained and well-layered nose offers up notes of red currant blue berry briar and a discreet bass note of warm earth. The supple and rounded medium-bodied flavors possess a really lovely silky mouth feel and while the palate impression is quite forward and almost easy-to-like in demeanor the finish is serious with plenty of tannin-buffering extract. Lovely. ♥

The 2008 Pinot Noir Aliette spent 15 months in 50% new French oak before bottling without fining or filtration. Sandalwood cinnamon incense violets and assorted black fruits compose the nose of this still somewhat austere structured offering. It has all the right stuff but another 2-3 years of cellaring are needed for the wine to fully blossom. It will provide optimum drinking from 2012 to 2020. 90+