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96 WA. "This label comes from Fort Ross-Seaview AVA, planted at 1,000-1,400 feet elevation to a “suitcase” clone on a soil type of clay with basalt rocks. Medium ruby-purple in color, the 2017 Pinot Noir le Caprice comes roaring out of the glass with pronounced redcurrants, warm cranberries and black cherries scents plus hints of violets, rhubarb and star anise with wafts of red roses, black tea and wild sage. Medium-bodied, the palate has a fantastic structure of firm, finely grained tannins with bold freshness supporting the incredibly energetic and expressive red berries and black cherries layers, finishing long and perfumed. Impressive! 1,422 cases were made. The 2019 Kincade Fire came very close to the Peter Michael winery, according to winemaker Nick Morlet. “It just got to the fence. No vines were lost, but it was close.” Turning to the wines, Morlet said: “I like wines that are powerful and elegant too. 2018 was a great vintage for this. And it is a great vintage for aging—these wines should be great in two decades!” I tasted all these 2018s as barrel samples, due to be bottled in February 2020. “2017 was more of a hedonistic vintage than 2018,” Morlet added. “Peter Michael’s sites have a huge advantage of altitude during a heat wave. Still, there are important variables to manage, such as irrigation and canopy.” He went on to say, “I like that these 2017 wines also display a lot of elegance, but they are certainly more flamboyant compared to 2018.” All their Semillon was declassified in 2017, since Morlet did not feel it measured up. Thus, there was no Coeur et Coeur produced in 2017." Wine Advocate Interim, Feb 2020 |