2010 Dragonette Cellars Pinot Noir "Black Label"

[Steve Anderson]

Had small tasting pours of the 2010 Dragonette Cellars "Black Label" Pinot Noir at two events after release. Really enjoyed it at the time and bought two bottles, but it is always hard to judge a wine (at least for me) based on a small taste. Two years later...wow. Had hoped to hold out another year or two before opening one, but decided that since I had two bottles I would open one now to check in.

This was much darker than I expected, but a beautiful dark ruby, not quite opaque. Despite the dark color, this was amazingly light on its feet. Beautiful nose, extremely smooth texture/mouth feel. Not sure how it lasted over three days, but Misuk and I both loved this and were sad to see the end of the bottle. Just a wow wine and easily in my top five wines of the year regardless of type/appellation. This was easily the equal of several of the Lato Pinots I have enjoyed and posted on this board. A blend of the four best Dragonette barrels for 2010, including two barrels of Cargasacchi clone 115, one Fiddlestix 115, and one La Encantada clone 667. Check this one out if you can find it. Great job Team Dragonette! I don't do numerical grades but would give this a solid "A".

Cheers,

Steve