Pinot Noir Mt Carmel Vineyard Blocks 3, 5, Mail Road Wines 2013

Red cherry, spice, new leather and licorice meld together in Mail Road's Pinot Noir Mt. Carmel Vineyard Blocks 3,5. Dark, supple and beautifully textured in the glass, the 3,5 is also quite a bit bigger and riper than the straight Mt. Carmel Pinot, with a decidedly intense finish. Drink 2015-2021.

Fleshing out beautifully since I tasted it from barrel last year, the 2013 Pinot Noir Mt Carmel Vineyard 3 5 offers lots of minerality and saltiness to go with darker-based fruits, crushed violets and cassis. Slightly reserved aromatically, it hits the palate with medium-bodied richness, a supple, expansive texture and a big finish. Fermented with a tiny 5% whole-cluster and aged 11 months in 48% new French oak, it's an incredible Pinot Noir that has no problem standing beside the more expensive Mt Carmel bottling. Drink it anytime over the coming decade. Drink 2015-2025.