2012 Gloria Estate Pinot Noir

(36% new oak): Vivid red. Deeply pitched dark berry and floral pastille aromas are lifted by a bright mineral quality and pick up spiciness and smokiness with air. Offers powerful black raspberry and cherry-cola flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate, along with a blood orange nuance that adds bite. Finishes sappy, focused and long, with slow-building tannins and appealing sweetness. Broad-shouldered for a Freeman pinot, with the structure to age. This is the first release from the Freeman's eight-acre estate vineyard, which was planted in 2008 to Swan, Martini, Calera, Pommard and Dijon 115 clones.