2005 Carr Pinot Noir, Clos Pepe Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills
Bright ruby with magenta highlights, the wine has warm, soft, and inviting aromas of strawberry, cherry, blueberry, blackberry, clove, allspice, and tarragon. On the palate, it is lusciously round, full, and silky, with dark berry fruit, clove, vanilla, and light tar flavors, moderate alcohol, and rather soft acids that liven up towards the juicy, tarry, gently chewy finish. What I enjoyed the most about this wine was that while it was brilliantly varietally expressive, it felt like it was about a place, not about winemaking. – Catherine Fallis