We use a selection of clones including Pommard for soft rose petal and cherry, small lots of the Wente clone yielding more backbone and black cherry character and the Martini clone, adding cherry, black pepper and an intriguing gaminess. The wine is fermented warm in small uprights and finished fermentation in the barrel, providing a suppleness and silky finish plus better oak integration. The 1997 Pinot Noir spent 11 months in a combination of new and seasoned small French and American oak bar...

Rating: 84/100 - As reviewed by Wine Spectator on 07/31/00

Rating for United States-California: 89 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: drink now<br/>