2003 Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Vineyard

[dananne]

This Pinot Noir from the Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County is a real puzzler. First off, it got a whopping 94 from WE, while WS gave it a 77. Yes, that's right, a 77. Insert joke on the value of wine ratings here. Anyway, it shows dark garnet in the glass. Decanted 30 minutes before 1st pour and left there over the two nights we drank it. Nose of cherries, plums, and a strong tobacco note. Gorgeous texture carries the fruits, including a cranberry note, but that leafy tobacco element comes in late, along with allspice. It frustrated Anne to no end, as it seems like it's going to be a great wine, but then falls short due to the herbal, leafy thing it's got going on. She just deemed it OK. I thought it had character and liked it more than she did, but you can likely surmise how it got such differing reviews. You'll either love it or hate it. If you've got one, let it sit a year or two and see if the tobacco integrates better. If not, it's still not a 77 in my book -- I'd split the difference and call it pretty good, though probably not worth the $35 price tag. 13.9% alc.