Kosta Browne Bootlegger's Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2016

I loved the 2016 Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill. This ripe yet seamless Russian River Pinot Noir gives up rocking notes of black cherries, candied violets, wild strawberries, and exotic flowers. Rounded, supple, and sexy, it glides across the palate with ultra-fine tannin, no sense of weight or heaviness, and remarkable length. This is one of those wines that shines both for its richness as well as elegance.

This stunning, spectacular wine from a fantastic vintage is memorable in every way. Generous black cherry, cola and dusty Asian spice dance around a structured complex richness of length and breadth, the texture silky, sophisticated and floral. Fresh acidity abounds and gives contrasting crispness to the looming brooding earthiness.

The 2016 Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill is the more powerful and structured of the two Pinots in the Cirq range. Dark stone fruit, wild flowers, gravel, spice and licorice inform this dark, virile Pinot. I would give it a few years in bottle to soften, as the tannins are quite potent today.

Aged 16 months in 45% new French oak, the pale to medium ruby colored 2016 Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill gives up loads of violet and lilac perfume with crushed black cherries, cranberry sauce, macerated strawberries and forest floor plus accents of tobacco leaf and woodsmoke. It's medium-bodied with broody, spicy character in the mouth, refreshed by juicy acidity and framed by grainy tannins, finishing long. 1,125 cases produced.