88 2002 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 10/2/04 ($17.50)
Color: Pretty medium Burgundy. See through enough to look accessible, showing some garnet with no purple. (3.0) Bouquet: Cherry/raspberry fruit with nuances of fresh mint and brown sugar. (3.0) Body: Middleweight with very good acidity and attractive, refined fruit. Only has the structure for short term aging (1-2 yrs) and may be at its best right now. (3.0) Flavor: Bright cherry and red raspberry fruit propelled by acidity with mint and slight mushroom complexity. Silky in the mouth. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor and bouquet, but not as forward. Shows a touch of bitterness with extended air. Nonetheless, fruit and brown sugar linger nicely. (2.5)
Overall: Very tasty, fruity P.N. with interesting spice nuances. Delicious now and in the next year or so. This is a beauty. It could have more ageworthy structure, but I can’t complain for this price.