Up in Smoke

2003 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir
Southing, Santa Rita Hills
$46.00 (available by mailing list only)
Jen’s Notes

Both Shane and I agreed that this was the best Pinot Noir either of us had ever tasted. I ventured to guess that it might be the best thing that has ever touched my palate. All hyperbole aside, this wine was absolutely stunning. It exhibited a nose of intense, sweet strawberry fruit, black licorice, and herbal/tea notes.

The flavors were intense, focused and concentrated, featuring rich, plum fruit spiked with graphite, cedar and tobacco. Not only are the flavors fantastic, this wine has structure like the Sears Tower. More than just a nice Pinot-reverb, this one exhibits a controlled expansion that makes you sit back and say “how did they do THAT?” Even more than the flavors, the silky texture and succulent acidity made this wine a true pleasure to drink. It was the perfect choice to inaugurate our Riedel “O” decanter (a gift from Shane’s parents).