A dark, rich Carneros Pinot Noir with elegant aromas of cherry, raspberry, roses and milk chocolate. Powerful yet refined, this wine displays a silky texture wrapped around layers of vibrant fruit which is enhanced by spicy notes of cedar, clove, bay and cumin. Excellent structure provides both mid-palate weight and a long persistent finish. The wine's bright acidity bodes well for its long-term aging potential. Although delicious now this is a big, concentrated Pinot Noir that will benefit from additional time in bottle.

Artesa's Estate Pinot Noir vineyards hang on the hillsides around the winery in the foothills of Mount Veeder and this wine is produced from two of the highest elevation vineyards in the Carneros appellation. The excellent drainage of these hillside vineyards causes the vines to root down deep for moisture, keeping yields in check to produce intensely flavored small berry clusters. Early summer fog from the San Francisco Bay followed by warm afternoon temperatures creates a climate that allows the fruit both enough cool hang time to develop intense varietal character and the sunshine necessary to ensure optimum ripeness. The combination of these factors results in grapes that display a beautiful balance of fruit and acidity.

WS 88 Intense, dense and marked by an earthy, minerally edge that gives this a firm structure, with a tight, dense core of dried berry, toasty oak, sage and cedar notes, clamping down on the finish. Drink now through 2015. 3,527 cases made. -JL, Wine Spectator, Score: 88