2011 San Andreas Fault Estate Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Potent: quite farmyardy and stinky on the nose, and the fruit has an over-ripe lusciousness. Slightly bitter aftertaste. Distinctive, but the flavours have a degree of decay to them that I find slightly offputting. (RH)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
(10% whole clusters and 35% new oak): Vivid red. Asian spices, red berries, rhubarb and musky underbrush on the perfumed nose. Offers lively redcurrant and raspberry flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate, with tangy acidity providing lift and cut. Becomes weightier with air, picking up a smoky nuance that lingers on a youthfully tannic, persistent finish. Shows the energy of the vintage to good effect.
Blend from all over this famous ranch. Pale crimson. Light and fresh and feather-light perfumed fruit that is beautifully balanced with a dry finish. Neat and very much unflashy. But I'm not sure about the price…! (JR)
The 2011 Pinot Noir San Andreas Fault is gorgeous and totally silky on the palate. Bright red berries, crushed flowers, sweet tobacco, chalk and pine are laced together in an aromatically expressive, mid-weight Pinot loaded with pure class. I would prefer to drink the 2011 sooner rather than later, as the acidity is quite prominent, and is likely to become even more prominent as the fruit starts to fade.