Alta Maria Santa Maria Valley Carbonic Pinot Noir 2015

Unmistakably varietally, correct and on point. Beautifully balanced by freshness, bright, acidity, savory floral, notes of bougainvillea and rose petals, cinnamon stick, five spice. Secondary fruit, offers, rhubarb, sour cherry, along with anise seed and sassafras. Wet cobblestone and dolomitic limestone show the providence of location in minerality. Light and balanced, but showing on the entry and mid pallet with a tremendous lingering finish that goes on and on.  A fascinating wine, it was processed in a carbonic fashion, in which the juice is allowed to ferment inside the mostly intact grape skins, much like what's done in Beaujolais. The result is a transparent, ruby red wine that offers scents of a dust storm mixed with crushed rock and chile pepper herbaciousness. It's warm and soft on the mouth with a presence that suggests something between peppercorns and bell peppers.