Saxon-Brown Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

Classic California vanilla cherry cola nose. Clear light ruby color, maybe a bit of rust showing. Extremely acidic on opening, and I tend to like acidity—this was somewhere on the journey to vinegar. Licorice and smoke appeared after some air, and the acid became more manageable.

Surprisingly young tasting wine, tart bright fruit, sometimes thin on the follow-through, restrained, a little lack of boldness. Lacks the austereness and earth that one might have expected from an older wine, but the elements knit together nicely. Decent but unexceptional. Feels like maybe it could age a bit more to tame the tartness.