2009 Patz & Hall Pinot Noir Jenkins Ranch

(15.8% alcohol!): Deep, bright red. Liqueur-like maraschino cherry aroma. Fat, lush and sweet; large-scaled and slightly heavy pinot in need of more definition and nuance. The huge finish betrays a hint of bitterness. Winemaker James Hall told me this fruit came in during the first week of September. Not my style.