Dept. C Pinot Noir Paraiso Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands

This is holding up surprisingly well. Elegant garnet with good transparency. No browning at all. A touch of brandy heat on the nose but meshed well with rich cherry aromas, a little vanilla wood and rhubarb. Attack is light and very slightly boozy, the mid-palate may be the slight weakness on this wine as there is a slight hollowness but it is quickly picked up by a very nice tail of rich stewed strawberry. It doesn't have a mile long …

- Brick color with slow forming legs and aromas of cloves. It's balanced and has flavours of cherry with a light/medium body. Polished texture with a medium finish - Ted liked HELAYNE excellent

I really liked this pinot noir's more nuanced approach. Aromas of smoky red fruit, toast, raspberry jam and a hint of lavender. Full of sappy red fruit on the palate (sour cherry, pomegranate), and some savory herbs as well. Full but not cloying. Seems like it could improve well over the next three or so years.