Skywalker Vineyards Pinot Noir Viandante del Cielo

Sarah - anise, pepper, and grape jelly on the nose. Plum, cherry, cedar finish. Good tannin structure to start, but it diminishes quickly. Mom - red fruit on the nose. A little hot / alcoholic. Menthol/eucalyptus notes. Red cherries and raspberries. Finish isn't as long as preferred. Anthony - raspberry and a little wood on the nose. Currants on the palate. Smooth, light bodied. Finish falls off / gets muddy.

Nose is cherry cola and plum. Nice acidity washes across the front to leave you drooling, while plum, blackberry, cedar and forest floor notes dancin along behind. Reminiscent of a RR pinot.

This deep ruby wine, albeit a touch rustic, delivers an appealing mix of ripe black cherries, pine nuts, pickling spice and dried herbs on both the nose and palate. For a Pinot, this is a fairly full-bodied offering, with fresh acidity, medium-weight tannins and (despite serving at 55°F) warm alcohol. While the latter is listed as 14.5%, it seems to be higher and is really the only significant "negative" that can be assigned to this wine. Solid in the middle, …

Drinking nicely now but should have plenty of life left. Good fruit and acidity balance and a great pair with a pork chop. Will take better tasting notes on the next bottle but overall it was enjoyable.

2011 Marin County Wine Celebration (Escalle Winery, Larkspur, California) : Light medium orange pink color; floral, pink grapefruit nose; pink grapefruit, chalky, citrus, tart currant palate; medium finish (with a touch of Chardonnay)