Everything that Pinot noir should be. Aromatics erupt from the glass with crush violets, big black cherry, dank ripe plums, exotic spices, red licorish, earth. Amazing aromatics. Leaner on the palate than the nose suggests with lively red and black fruits expanding exponentially like a mushroom cloud. Very elegant, the texture is incredible, pure silk. Very well balanced, the acidity shows up in the right places with the right amount. This finish goes on for at least 40 seconds. Beautiful. Lynn Penner-Ash is a master.

I wasn't as thrilled with the '01. Your description of lean for the '99 would apply to the '01 also. The '01 seemed to be too young to drink last Summer. Hopefully with time the elegance will emerge.

I agree that Lynn Penner-Ash is a master. But in my opinion, the best Pinot she makes is her Syrah.

I thought her '01 Syrah was good (88-90), but not worth buying.