Coming from the Sonoma Coast, the 2019 Pinot Noir Belly Of The Whale is a more reserved, inward, and focused wine offering a beautiful blend of spiced red and black fruits intermixed with bouquet garni, crushed stone, and exotic spice-like aromas and flavors. More medium-bodied on the palate, it has a wonderful mid-palate, building yet perfectly ripe tannins, no hard edges, and a great, great finish. This is another remarkable wine from Bibiana González Rave. It will benefit from 2-3 years of bottle age and cruise for 10-15 years in cool cellars. Bravo!

Ample aromas of roasted raspberry, white pepper, lemon pepper and rose petals make for a very inviting nose on this bottling. There's approachable richness on the palate, with poached strawberry, and then waves of chai spice leading into a warm, vanilla-laced finish. Fresh acidity pumps through the entire experience. MATT KETTMANN