2005 Relic Pinot Noir Alder Springs Vineyard

(14.2% alcohol) Moderately saturated medium ruby. Sexy aromas of musky raspberry, caramel, tobacco, smoke and nutty oak, all lifted by wild herbs. Sappy, dry and rather politely styled, with firm acidity restraining the wine's sweetness. Spicy, easy-to-drink wine with subtle persistence. Just this side of lean but there's lovely freshness here. "With no heat spikes in 2005, we finally had a chance to make Burgundian-style pinot noir," noted owner/winemaker Mike Hirby. This has a natural pH of 3.7; normally it's 3.9 or even higher from this site.