Ernest Vineyards Cleary Ranch Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023 (750ML)

96 Points, Ana Carolina Quintela, Decanter: "Cleary Ranch is the home base for Ernest, certified organic in 2022 but held in their hands since the very beginning. Located in one of the coldest pockets of the Freestone Valley, it is almost always their last site to be picked. The 2023 vintage truly shows the extreme character of the ranch; harvest didn’t even begin until October 3rd and stretched all the way to November 8th. Despite that massive hang time, the wine sits at a lean 12.3% alcohol, capturing deep complexity without the sugar spike. The aromatics are incredibly elegant, led by notes of bay leaf, wet soil, and just-ripe fresh strawberries with a touch of spice. On the palate, the wine is still a bit tight, but is showing great savory layers of fresh thyme and a distinct saltiness over pomegranate juice and wild berries. It’s a wine built for the long haul - focused, high-toned, and deeply reflective of its coastal roots." 11/25