2005 Auteur Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard

Deep ruby-red. Brooding aromas of dark raspberry, kirsch, cured tobacco, smoked meat and sandalwood. Sweet, juicy dark berry and cherry flavors take on notes of burning tobacco and exotic spices with aeration. There are firm-edged acids here but the wine is essentially supple and nicely balanced. Builds nicely toward the back, finishing with light tannins and very good fruity persistence. A winery to watch, based on these wines and a very good pair of current pinot releases from Oregon.