The 2009 Alazan Pinot Noir was aged in 30% new French oak. It delivers more aromatic complexity than the Tobiano cuvee with its display of Asian spices, incense, and assorted red and black fruit elements. Velvety and sweetly-fruited in the glass, this nicely proportioned Pinot will benefit from another 1-2 years of cellaring and provide prime drinking from 2013 to 2021. The Kingston family owns a 300 acre hillside vineyard in cool-climate Casablanca 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean and 900 feet above sea level. The vineyards date from 1998 with Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, and Syrah planted.Importer: Kingston Family Vineyards, Portola Valley, CA; tel. (650) 854-4146

Ripe and juicy, delivering dark plum and blackberry fruit laced with toasty vanilla and spiced bread notes. Good length. Drink now. 390 cases made, 390 cases imported.??–JM??Region: Chile / Aconcagua / Casablanca Valley Select to Add

Always at the top of the Chilean Pinot heap is this true, complex wine from Kingston Family. The nose features light raspberry, citrus, oceanic brine and toasty, creamy oak. The palate is lush and rolls across the tongue with ease; ripe fruit in the cherry zone along with cocoa and spice make for fine flavors. Finishes with purity, smooth tannins and herbal twinges. ——M.S.(6/1/2011)—— 90