Moving to the two Pinot Noirs, the 2017 Pinot Noir Cleary Ranch The Settler from the Cleary Ranch Vineyard was all destemmed and brought up in 38% new French oak. It has a rocking nose of spiced cherries, raspberries, scorched earth, white flowers, and subtle oak. Medium-bodied with a pure, crystalline texture, nicely integrated acidity, and a great finish, this beautiful Pinot Noir needs 2-3 years of bottle age but will evolve for a solid decade. This is a textbook Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. For the anti-alcohol crowd, it's under 12% alcohol.

The 2017 Pinot Noir The Settler Cleary Ranch Vineyard shows a much more savory expression of Pinot; then again, this is an especially cold site. Rose petal, mint, sage, dried flowers, game and sweet red berry notes are all finely cut. This is an especially nervous, edgy style. There is no shortage of personality or character here. -- Antonio Galloni