Raptor Ridge started bottling Pinot Noir from the Meredith Mitchell vineyard in 2000, producing a huge blockbuster of a wine that is still my favorite bottle in the cellar. The 2001 is not quite so huge, but still tastes like its older sibling in many lovable respects.

This wine is deep, dark purple in color, and the flavors reflect the looks. The nose isn't particularly big, but - like a bowlful of blackberries - it hints at deep dark fruit and throws just a whiff of spice. The palate is full-bodied purple fruit with some spice notes - maybe nutmeg - and an overtone of acidity that carries through to a niftily tannic finish that offers just enough crunch to balance all the big fruit that preceded. This is royal velvet in a glass.

Marc......how much does this wine sell for?

Dick

I bought it in half case quantities (twice) from the winery for $17-20 the bottle.