2005 Chalone Estate Pinot Noir

90 points and one star from the Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine: "Three decades ago, when Chalone was among the leading cult wines in California, it was producing just 100 cases of Pinot Noir up on its chalky mountaintop. Now, it produces well over 10,000, and, at times, quality has suffered badly. This vintage looks to be a rewarding return to form with its sweet red cherry fruit aroma and its creamy, loamy richness showing at every stop. Its supple texture and slight roundness picks up a bit of tannic grip in the latter half and finish, and while long cellaring is not on tap, the wine can hold for a few years yet." (October 2007)The new Pinot Noir clones, planted in 1997, are really showing their potential with the 2005 vintage. The wine is darkly colored and amazingly opulent, with fantastic fruit intensity leaning toward red cherries and strawberries. Firm in body, with big tannins, this wine has amazing texture and length of finish. The ten months it spent in French oak integrated the fruit and tannins into a truly hedonistic glass of wine. Pair with roasted turkey, seared duck with cherry sauce, grilled salmon and wild mushroom risotto.