The other “outlier” is the 2007 Pinot Noir Weir Vineyard from the Yorkville Highlands. It offers an attractive bouquet of cola/sassafras, wild berries, rhubarb, earth, and spice. The wine hits the palate with reassuring richness before the acids kick in. Readers should remember that this winery has a rather formulaic approach to adding acid to their Pinots, which has worked well over a long history. However, in this case, it seems to shut the wine down, cloaking it in a suit of armor, making palate penetration difficult. Nevertheless, there is a lot of potential here, and the Weir Pinot Noir should open up considerably in 2-3 years, blossoming into an excellent wine. It should last for 10+ years. The single vineyard Pinot Noirs are made from a wide range of California vineyards, primarily in the north, with Russian River and Sonoma Coast dominating, but there is also an Anderson Valley site (Ferrington), San Benito site (Vista Verde), and Yorkville Highlands (Weir). The Chardonnays are nearly as powerful as the Zinfandels in terms of alcohol strength, ranging from 14.5% to 14.8%.Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546

The other “outlier” is the 2007 Pinot Noir Weir Vineyard from the Yorkville Highlands. It offers an attractive bouquet of cola/sassafras, wild berries, rhubarb, earth, and spice. The wine hits the palate with reassuring richness before the acids kick in. Readers should remember that this winery has a rather formulaic approach to adding acid to their Pinots, which has worked well over a long history. However, in this case, it seems to shut the wine down, cloaking it in a suit of armor, making palate penetration difficult. Nevertheless, there is a lot of potential here, and the Weir Pinot Noir should open up considerably in 2-3 years, blossoming into an excellent wine. It should last for 10+ years. The single vineyard Pinot Noirs are made from a wide range of California vineyards, primarily in the north, with Russian River and Sonoma Coast dominating, but there is also an Anderson Valley site (Ferrington), San Benito site (Vista Verde), and Yorkville Highlands (Weir). The Chardonnays are nearly as powerful as the Zinfandels in terms of alcohol strength, ranging from 14.5% to 14.8%. Tel. (707) 433-6425; Fax (707) 433-6546

Shows lots of acidity and also the firm tannins and tug of dried herbs that always accompany this bottling. Quite good, with fruity flavors of cherries, raspberries, currants and cola, but feels a little rustic. Could harmonize over the next 6–8 years.——S.H.(2/1/2010)—— 92