2004 Pinot Noir, Garys' Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands

Medium ruby color; ripe red cherry aromas with toasty oak notes; rich and ripe with stewed red cherry flavors, some spice, toasty oak notes; good structure and balance; long finish. A rich and rip Pinot with good length and a toasty undertone. Issue #47 92 Points

Appellation America Review

Winemakers Tom Stutz and Steven Mirassou are sailing the good ship La Rochelle in a whole new direction: Pinot Noir. Their sights are set on making the finest expressions of Pinot from the best vineyards in the west. Starting the voyage with the renowned Garys’ Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands was a fine way to cast off the dock. So far, it is smooth sailing, indeed.

Rich, red earth aromas announce this totally in-character Pint Noir. Hints of raspberry, chocolate, cherry and loganberry spread out like a renaissance faire picnic of classic handmade jams and jellies. It’s that good. The aromas are divine and enticing. And then to taste is to discover a pleasure pack of textures and flavors: everything the nose promises the palate delivers, in layer upon layer of complex fruit laced with alluring hints of chocolate and mint.

This delightfully sensuous and pleasing wine is a flamenco dance in a bottle. Deftly wound between the flirtatious layers of fruit is a taut vein of mouthwatering acidity that flashes at you like the lavish lace of an ornately ruffled flamenco skirt. Steadily and seductively, this wine swirls and twirls with delight after delight, making you wish the dance would never end. Alas, with just 94 cases produced, the dance won’t last long.

(Alc: 15.1%, Retail: $75)Reviewed March 28, 2007 by Laura Ness.