Melville 2014 Sandy’s Pinot Noir (Sta. Rita Hills)

Country: US / California
Variety: Pinot Noir
Winery: Melville / Sandy’s

This winery’s bottlings manage to pack bright, fruity energy and a wide array of herbs and seasonings into the same lithe frame. In this case, sagebrush and chaparral meet candied red cherry and dark pomegranate on the nose. The palate shows lots of oregano, thyme and bay leaf against a ripe cranberry base, with touches of black tea and rosehip adding to the complexity.