2019 Beaux Freres The Belles Soeurs Pinot Noir [WA96][JD95][WS94][JS94][D94]

"Medium ruby-purple, the 2019 Pinot Noir The Belles Soeurs has alluring wild red and black berry fruits with wafts of garrigue, Earl Grey tea leaves and Angostura bitters. The palate is silky and intense with layered, graphite-tinged fruit and a very long finish that's notable for its purity and persistent perfume." 

"A wine that uncoils patiently, with cherry and blueberry flavors laced with dusky spice, gathering speed and tension toward stony yet polished tannins. Drink now through 2030." 

"Aromas of dark cherry, plum, violet, smoke and cigar box. Medium-bodied with finely grained tannins and bright acidity. Balanced and refined. Harmonious, savory and silky with a succulent, long finish. A little tight now. Unfiltered. Try after 2023." 

"From its origin as a Shea Vineyard bottling, Belle Soeur has transitioned to a blend fruit from the Beaux Freres, Upper Terrace, and Sequitur, all farmed by Mike Etzel. Today the grapes are picked earlier, and the extraction managed more gently to give a classic red fruit nose with spice on the attack and plenty of freshness and grippy tannins on the palate. There is still plenty of extract, though, and this lingers persistently on the finish."