Spiced cranberry, plucked rose petal, juicy dark cherry. Tart marionberry, oolong tea, crushed pomegranate. Fresh lavender and undergrowth, star anise and exotic spices. Plump strawberry, citrus peel, and rhubarb compote highlight highly aromatic and ethereal bouquet dusted with coriander and magnificent earthy spice. Notes of tree bark, fallen leaves, and pine provide remarkably clean natural impressions redolent of a forest after a cool autumn rain. Cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg further the perception of pronounced yet delicate spices as hints of black truffle emerge bringing an edge of complicating umami. Beneath the tense yet expressive profile lies deep earthy tones of sandy soil and crushed limestone that deposit a distinct feeling of calcareous minerality on the palate. Generous and evocative yet still quite nuanced and restrained - brilliantly reflecting both terroir and type. Medium plus in body with moderate tannin and elevated acidity. This 2017 Estate Pinot Noir by Eden Rift Vineyards is an absolutely stunning red from San Benito's Cienega Valley.

Eden Rift Vineyards sits on one of California's most historic winegrowing properties, but it wasn't until current owner Christian Pillsbury took control of operations in 2016 that this estate truly began to achieve at its highest potential. This bottling, crafted by Eden Rift using Pinot Noir sourced from their beautiful and bucolic estate vineyard, brilliantly expresses the majesty and charm of this property's incredible terroir. The 2017 vintage was the first where new ownership had complete control of farming throughout the entirety of the growing season and the difference that change has made is instantly apparent here. Fragrant and complex aromas fill the room the second the wine is poured, generously revealing high-toned fruit and spices laced with intriguing mineral undertones. Despite its pronounced intensity it manages to remain remarkably weightless and elegant, certainly suggesting that this rural corner of the California's central coast is on par with the world's very best cool climate vineyards. An unquestionably impressive wine.