A perennial favorite here at CGCW, the Westside Road Neighbors bottling comes through once again. Its lovely aromas of sweet oak and perfectly ripened cherries are paralleled in all ways by its deeply filled and carefully composed flavors. Youthful acids presently bring a slight edge of stiffness to the finish, but given the two or three years of age that it so clearly deserves, this one will ultimately be as refined and well-polished as it is rich.

Dark red. Explosive strawberry and raspberry liqueur scents are accented by exotic spice and cola notes on the vibrant nose. Enticing sweet red berry flavors are lifted by fresh acidity and firmed by dusty tannins. The finish of suave, focused red fruits shows excellent persistence and purity. Platonic Russian River pinot that's irresistible right now.

Community Tasting Notes (average 91.2 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 26 notes)

Rating for United States-California: 90 (slightly better than average year)<br/><br/>Drinkability: young, aging quickly, could be good now<br/>