1997 Au Bon Climat 'Rincon & Rosemary's' Pinot Noir

Good dark red-ruby color. Bright, complex aromas of cassis, blackberry skin, dark chocolate and mocha (I would have identified this blind as being from somewhere in the Vosne-Nuits neighborhood); has the vibrancy and floral/spicy tang the above wine lacks. Juicy, fresh and very intensely flavored, without excess weight; shows no sign of the 14.5% alcohol listed on the label. Really superb inner-mouth dark berry flavors. Stylish and delineated. Finishes with firm but ripe tannins and very good grip and length. This offers texture and elegance rare for California pinot noir.