Medium-deep ruby color; complex, rich wild cherry aromas with some spice and herbal notes; deep, complex flavors of cherry and earth with some herbal and tea notes; silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Complex, rich Pinot with subtle layers of flavor.

This is James Macphail’s inaugural release of the Mardikan Vineyard Pinot Noir. In the glass, a beautiful light garnet color that has lovely transparency at the core and slight fading at the rim, indicative of a youthful vineyard like the Mardikan which was planted in 2008. High toned red fruit aromas of raspberry, bing cherries and red apple skin present themselves on the nose, enhanced by the presence of earth, dust, clove and pepper. The palate confirms the nose in seamless fashion and the texture of the wine is beautiful for a new world pinot noir. There is a refinement in this wine that melds quite nicely with the rustic earthy side. There is plenty of acidity – not over the top, but just enough it leaves you salivating for the next sip. This should age gracefully throughout the decade. Look for this wine in future vintages as the vineyard matures as it could be one of the best pinots coming out of the entire Sonoma Coast in future vintages.

Coming from a vineyard planted in 2008, located just past Sebastopol on the Sonoma Coast, the 2012 Mardikian Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir has a pale to medium ruby color and an earthy, meaty, gamey nose over a core of dried cranberries, potpourri and kirsch. Medium to full-bodied, it is showing some nice bits of evolution in the mouth, giving savory flavors and pleasant yeasty/meatiness, plus a grainy backbone and long, lively finish. - Lisa Perrotti-Brown