2016 Dutton Estate Pinot Noir Karmen Isabella Dutton Ranch Russian River Valley
First time with this one, and it took me to a place CA pinots almost never do: my first tasting of Burgundies, ten exceptional properties (including DRC and Leroy) from the 1990 vintage in approximately 1993. Until then, I had not been a fan of pinot, after that: it's slave. This has spice, herbs and fruit all in one, plus heft at the 1er+ level of concentration, style and aging potential. Haven't tasted anything like this in a long, long time. So while I can understand how that would disappoint the usual fan of big/open/ripe CA pinot (CT reviews were mostly unfavorable), I was so un-disappointed that I got up the next morning and ordered more.