Lafond Pinot Noir, Santa Rita Hills, Lafond Vyd, 2003

Purple/red.

Now this is a great contrast to the Argyle - deep, dark fruit and toasted oak nose. The nose reminds me of a barrel-aged southern Rhone (Brusset, recently). Only much more suave.

Round and very filled-in. Serious, packed Pinot, no stems in sight. There is tannin here, but the flavor-stuffing just rides over it. This rocks.

Day 3 - Deep black fruit and nut liqueur aromas. But this still has a Pinot umami/textural plushness on the nose. Not over-ripe or over-extracted. Really good in the mouth, but I doubt it will develop into something profound.

$45? gift