1998 Martinelli Pinot Noir Martinelli Vineyard Reserve

The longevity of this cuvee is always a source of fascination for me. The 1998 Martinelli Vineyard Reserve (14.5% abv) is more balanced and graceful than the 1999 bottling  (15.5% abv). 
Slow-o'd for one hour then full decant at restaurant. Even these older vintages need lots of air to fully show their stuff. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. A bit of fine grained sediment at the end of the bottle.
Lilting florals and soft hints of cinnamon on the nose. 
Classic raspberry, spice, anise and earth. Tannins are sweet and dusty.
Paired perfectly with hushpuppies stuffed with crawfish and rock shrimp in a tasso sauce.
Love this stuff. Managed to find some 1997 and 1996 vintage bottlings, which are shipping in this fall. Will see if they have held up as well as the '98 and '99 vintages...