Ripe Bing cherry, fresh lavender, pomegranate reduction. Candied orange peel, Asian five spice, black raspberry compote. A delicately concentrated and lifted core of Santa Rosa plum, cranberry cocktail, and cola seamlessly collides with forest floor, coriander, and nutmeg in a fragrant and gorgeously expansive display. High toned perfume continues to radiate as violet, wildflowers, and pine needle reveal fresh floral and natural overtones intricately complicated by clove, cardamom, and an ample helping of complex spice. A waft of grilled mushroom emerges to impart a dousing of beautiful umami while ocean fog, sea spray, and gravely earth expose subtle yet seductive hints of terroir. Fresh, fruit-driven, and nicely balanced on the palate; presenting a wonderfully layered and expressive attack that maintains authenticity to both grape and place. Medium plus in body with moderate yet soft tannin backed by elevated acidity. This 2017 "Twelve Clones" Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir by Morgan Winery is a bright, aromatic, and archetypal Monterey County red. 

Known for its warm sunny days juxtaposed against cold and foggy nights, the Santa Lucia Highlands has quickly developed into one of California's greatest growing zones for robust and expressive Pinot Noir. This bottling, crafted by Morgan Winery using 12 distinct clones of Pinot Noir sourced from within the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation, brilliantly showcases the ethereal power and aromatic depth that this region has become famous for. While it leads with a medley of rich and ripe fruit this wine maintains impressive weightlessness and energy, and its spiced, floral, and natural charm gorgeously complicates the intriguing fruit-focused bouquet. This exhibits nice restraint to balance its decadence, and while enjoyable now it will certainly improve with 5-10 years in the cellar. A deliciously classic SLH Pinot.