2004 Casa Marin Lo Abarca Hills Pinot Noir Valle de San Antonio 14.5%
Elegant mature cherry with hints of eucalyptus and funk, with some alcohol heat. Lush mouth feel, but a bit too sweet from the high alcohol (definitely not a Burg). Oak is subtle and the acidity seems adequate, but runs on a parallel track, seemingly distinct from the fruit. Could be added, unless I'm addled.
Rant: a delicate grape like Pinot cannot possibly, I don't think, show at its best at such high alcohol levels, and I can’t help wondering if the obviously fine fruit used here would have done its own nature more credit if picked at a lower sugar level (assuming that it were consistent with sufficient seed maturity). Winemakers seem fascinated with the challenge of making a good pinot noir outside Burgundy, but if your climate doesn’t have the vocation for it, perhaps you should stick to hot-weather grapes, like syrah.