2015 Pellegrini Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

The Pellegrini family planted their famed Olivet Lane Vineyard in 1973 and since then the property has been the source of many stellar wines. Tasting the recent releases with Clyde and Trey, we had a quick chuckle about having featured these wines in our wine club back in the 1990s. Well, the wines are still good. Not only does the wine show the best qualities of the appellation—silky tannin and luscious dark fruit—it also has an elegance and surprisingly delicate aromatic quality. Wherever you fall on the Pinot spectrum, this wine will win your favor with its poise and balance. Incidentally, it’s a great choice for a holiday party, appealing as it is to a variety of tastes. This wine is produced with fruit from the Olivet Lane property as well as other vineyards in the Russian River, and is described by the winery as: "Full of ripe cherry and boysenberry layered with rich leathery, meaty undertones; highlighted by essences of violet, lavender, pine needle, and caramelized sugar. Deep cedar resonates on the palate, setting the stage for radiant cherry, raspberry, and pomegranate flavors. The fine tannin structure accompanies rich notes of garam masala, toasted almond, walnut, and dried orange peel, which elegantly complement this wine’s creamy texture and long-lasting finish."