Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard

Great place right now

Pretty, Floral, A hint of forest floor. Waiting one more year for the next one to coax out more secondaries

This historically has been my least favorite Dragonette pinot, but this was a pretty good showing. Very much in their style with spicy, rich, red fruit and good acidity, but it is hard to get past the high level of alcohol. Between the viscous tears and the nose, you know its coming before it hits you. Overall, it is a solid wine, but lacks refinement, particularly when compared to better offerings, like their Radian & Presidio vineyards.

Still seems tight. Has the base of a typical Sta. Rita Hills Pinot, but seems darker & heftier. Could it use another year in the cellar? The wine looks ruby colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like red currant, blackberry and mushroom. It tastes like blackberry and mushroom. The body is medium/full. The wine has smooth texture. The wine finishes medium. The wine has low acidity.

Decent balance, smokiness, and acidity at first taste. Finish lasts with earthy notes of mushroom.

2012 Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance Tasting (RN74, San Francisco, California) : Medium dark ruby color; herbs, tart cranberry, lightly savory nose; herbs, savory, tart red fruit, tart cranberry, mineral palate; needs 3 years; medium-plus finish 91+ points (clones 113 & 115; 25% stem inclusion)

Dragonette tasting room in Los Olivos. Well made SRH pinot with flavors typical to this appellation.