Lioco, Cerise Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley

Opened without decanting. Light tannins, nice pronounced smoke on the nose, granite. Drink up as this probably won't get better.

This was quite tasty. A very evident Coca-cola flavor, while having a lot of cherry as well. I'm not sure I'd call it Cherry Coke, but something like that. There was some background earthiness to it as well, not quite forest floor but a fresh potted plant soil there. Lingering finish.

Drank over two nights. Note from night two when the wine had opened and softened up a bit. Medium nose with concentrated raspberry, pine and herbs. Medium bodied with smooth, polished red fruit and bright acids. Nothing exceptional about this wine right now. A classic, herby AV pinot.

Blind 2013 California Pinots (Chicago, IL) : Served blind. This had a slightly more open and expressive nose than the Littorai Haven, but only just by a little bit. Spicier, darker, and richer, and perhaps a smidgen less acid than I'd like, but the separate elements are quite well-integrated here.

New Year's Day 2013 Cali Pinot Blind Tasting : Served blind. Translucent ruby. Medium nose has an array of aromas -- red cherry, stemmy herbs and spice. Palate initially has light-to-medium weight with cranberry and spice. A re-taste after 9 hours has more density and concentration with more prominent spice and wilder/darker fruit flavors. 12.7 ABV. No evolution or improvement on day two.

Some blind 2013 Northern California Pinots to ring in the new year (Rich's, Chicago, IL) : Nose: The nose is understated, yet perfumed with a more red-fruited base of raspberries, herbs, strawberries, baking spices, fresh picked red berries, and some purple florals. Taste: Medium/full bodied with medium+ acidity and chewier tannins. There is some substance to the structure and feel backed up by raspberries, herbs, cranberries, strawberries, baking spices, and some dark red cherries. Overall: There is a slightly stemmy …