The most expressive of these Pinot Noirs is the 2005 Pinot Noir Stone Corral Vineyard. This limited cuvee of just over 2,300 bottles is dark ruby, with a beautiful, flowery nose, sweet raspberry and cherry scents, great complexity, but is still restrained and needs considerable coaxing. In the mouth, it is tight, with relatively high acidity and a leanness, but I think that will soften and the wine will flesh out with another 1-3 years of bottle age. Tel. and fax (805) 489-0446

This is quite good, with ripe currant, cherry, licorice and cola flavors that are wrapped in tight tannins. But it’s a little direct and uncomplex. Probably at its best now and for a few years. It will be interesting to follow this bottling as the vines age.——S.H.(3/1/2008)—— 87