The 2012 Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve is a selection of the best barrel from the Dijon 114 and 115 clones planted in 1996 and 1994 respectively. This vintage was picked October 6-7 at 23.5 Brix and sees 14 months in French oak, 40 percent new barrels. It has a genteel bouquet at first: pure red cherries, bergamot and strawberry that unfolds to reveal motes of chalk dust and flint. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, soft and rounded in the mouth, but not plush or luxuriant. It is very harmonious with overtly red fruit rather than black, a light pinch of cracked black pepper on the finish. Lovely.