From a 3.5-acre parcel, the 2012 Pinot Noir Three Corners is staggering. A phenomenal bouquet of kirsch, black raspberries, black currants, graphite and lavender soars from the glass of this full-bodied, opulent, stunningly rich Pinot. With very good acidity, freshness and delineation, this explosively rich, intense yet impeccably well-balanced, pure Pinot Noir can be enjoyed over the next decade or more. Most knowledgeable people in the wine world have enormous respect for the integrity, honesty and exceptionally high quality of the wines emanating from the Rochioli Vineyards in the Russian River area. Currently, Tom Rochioli runs the show, and if you are not on their mailing list, chances are you only have an opportunity to purchase their Estate Chardonnay, Estate Pinot Noir, and possibly their Sauvignon Blanc. Mailing list customers have access to their best single vineyard wines. The consistency of these wines, even in less than ideal vintages, has been remarkable over my career. When I saw Tom Rochioli in October, he was thrilled with what 2012 had provided, and was even more excited by the fact that 2013 may be even better. The Pinot Noirs are largely produced from different clonal materials, and each parcel represents different blocks within the Rochioli estate vineyards. Tel. (707) 433-2305

Turning leafy-foresty, very delicate. Subtle tea, clove, cinnamon, cherry, dusty, cedar, cocoa. Fresh. Lots of sweet fruit, cherries, balanced, silky, so supple and clean. Lots of rich dusty tannins. Bone dry. Complex, interesting. Now-2010. ——S.H.(6/1/2005)—— 94

The 1993 Pinot Noir Three Corner Vineyard (from a small parcel of vines planted in 1970) offers a gorgeous, deep ruby/purple color, and a fragrant, intense nose of black-raspberries, cherries, vanillin, and smoke. This sweet tasting (from ripe fruit, not added sugar) wine possesses superb richness, full body, wonderful freshness and purity, and a layered, voluptuously-textured, long, lusty finish. This Pinot Noir could easily be mistaken for a grand cru from the Cote de Nuits. Rochioli owns old vine vineyards from which they produce some of the finest American Pinot Noirs. All are aged primarily in new French oak and are bottled without fining or filtration. By the way, Rochioli's 1994s may be even more spectacular than the 1993s, but I will wait until they are bottled to make that call. Tel. (707) 433-2305

Rochioli has produced three powerful yet elegant Pinots with impressive color saturations, wonderfully intense, ripe Pinot fruit, good balance, and chewy, expansive textures. The dark ruby-colored 1992 Three Corner Vineyard cuvee offers sweet fruit, light tannin, full body, and a long, lush finish. It should drink well for 5-6 years. California winemakers continue to exhibit extraordinary progress with the fickle and fragile Pinot Noir. Tel. (707) 433-2305.