671. Schug, Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast, 2009

£??; 13.5%

Hmm. I keep trying with California Pinot, and it still doesn’t work. This wasn’t too bad – OK, but not inspiring – but still had that cooked, soft fruit and syrupiness that doesn’t work for me. Medium ruby. Medium+ intensity. Crunchy cherry and cranberry fruit, that takes on more cooked character on warming. Some smoky, savoury notes, with herb character, and some almost popcorn malo-lactic hints. Sweet-ish entry. Strawberry and raspberry notes? With savoury hints. Medium, ripe tannins and medium acidity. Less ‘hot climate’ than many Cali Pinots, but still not quite right for me.