2010 ニーリー ピノ・ノワール アッパー・ピクニック・ブロック

2010 ニーリー ピノ・ノワール アッパー・ピクニック・ブロック

2010 Neely Pinot Noir Upper Picnic Block

93 points アントニオ・ガッローニ

" It is absolutely fascinating to taste the 2010 Pinot Noir Upper Picnic after the Picnic. Here the aromatics are bright, lifted and beautifully focused. Sweet red cherries, tobacco and mint lift out of the glass. In 2010, the Upper Picnic impresses for its finesse, subtlety and nuance. There is an upper register in the bouquet that is particularly appealing. Drinking window: 2015 - 2025

Brothers Bob and Jim Varner are two of the most unassuming, humble winemakers in California. They don't need to say much. The wines take care of that themselves. These are some of the most beautiful, striking Chardonnays and Pinots readers will come across. Best of all, prices remain exceedingly fair by California standards considering the quality of what goes into the bottle...The 2010 Pinots are also outstanding. Leaf pulling is not a common practice here, so the fruit was not excessively exposed to the late season heat spikes. The Varner and Neely Pinots are fermented in steel, an unusual practice that probably explains why the wines retain so much freshness. After two months in steel, the wines spent a year in barrel followed by a year in bottle prior to being released. Like all Varner/Neely wines, the Pinots are made with indigenous yeasts and handled minimally throughout their elevage. As a reminder, the Varners make wines under three labels; Varner, Neely and Foxglove, all reviewed separately here. "(7/ 2013)