2013 Pinot Noir Ceras

The 2013 Pinot Noir Ceras, blended blind as usual, is about "mineralité" according to winemaker Maggie Harrison. There is some whole cluster in this blend, around 11%. It has a very delineated bouquet with cranberry and crushed strawberry, crushed stone, very Pommard-like in style and extremely well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy and lace-like tannin, more black fruit than red; conspicuously saline in the mouth and revealing a subtle marine influence towards the finish that comes across as Old World in style. It is another wonderful 2013 from Antica Terra - not cheap, but quality never usually is.

Vivid ruby-red. Complex, highly perfumed aromas of raspberry, potpourri and Asian spices show mineral and blood orange nuances. Sappy, palate-staining red fruit and floral pastille flavors are brightened by a suggestion of smoky minerals and a refreshingly bitter rhubarb quality that develops with aeration. The floral and spice elements build steadily with air and carry through an impressively long, seamless finish. This graceful Pinot is delicious now, but its balance suggests a long, smooth arc of aging. Dec 2016, www.vinous.com, Drink: 2018-2024

The 2013 Pinot Noir Ceras, blended blind as usual, is about "mineralité" according to winemaker Maggie Harrison. There is some whole cluster in this blend, around 11%. It has a very delineated bouquet with cranberry and crushed strawberry, crushed stone, very Pommard-like in style and extremely well focused. The palate is medium-bodied with edgy and lace-like tannin, more black fruit than red; conspicuously saline in the mouth and revealing a subtle marine influence towards the finish that comes across as Old World in style. It is another wonderful 2013 from Antica Terra - not cheap, but quality never usually is. Jun 2016, www.robertparker.com, Drink: 2018-2032