The 2008 Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard comes from sandy, loamy soils over decomposed granite. This is easily the best of Tantara’s 2008s. Forest floor, raspberry, dark plum, and black cherries jump from the glass of this deep ruby/purple-tinged Pinot Noir. It has the broadest, richest flavor profile, outstanding depth, subtle oak, and a deep, fleshy mouthfeel. Ten percent whole clusters were used during fermentation, and the wine was aged 16 months in 60% new French oak before being bottled unfined and unfiltered. This wine can certainly last for another 5-7 years. This is a dizzying array of wines, including four Chardonnays and eleven Pinot Noirs. Perhaps it is overkill, but the quality of the wines is very high, and Tantara remains one of the bright, shining spots for these varietals on the Central Coast. Among the four Chardonnays, two are from the Santa Maria Valley, the Dierberg and the Bien Nacido, the Talley-Rincon is from Edna Valley’s Arroyo Grande appellation, and the Brosseau from the limestone soils of Chalone. The Pinot Noirs essentially cover virtually every Central Coast appellation, from the Santa Lucia Highlands in the north to the Santa Maria Valley in the south. Tel. (805) 938-5051; Fax (805) 938-0036