2006 La Encantada Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir

The nose starts off with hints of smoked meat, herbs, and dark fruit, but after a little time, these qualities really blossom into a wonderfully expressive aromatic profile. The palate reflects the nose in both character and timing, in that it starts out with nuanced flavors that build into rich, dense flavors of cherry, smoked meat, and spice. Further opening broadens the nose, with dark fruit and dusty earth carrying the low tones and a variety of herbs and light oak wafting along the high notes. Good, bright acidic structure and tannins give this wine staying power, and it opens very nicely over time as the tannins become soft and plush, and the nose and palate build to their full potential.