2012 Neely Pinot Noir Upper Picnic Block Spring Ridge Vineyard

....what a beautiful wine this is.  On the cusp of its drinking window, this has at least another 3 years of prime time drinking and will continue to be enjoyable in its later years.

Minerally red fruit with elegant transparent color.  Tasty forest floor accents. Lilting florals. Another Burgundian-styled success from the Santa Cruz Mountains.  

Bob and Jim Varner crafted this excellent pinot noir, sourcing from Neely Family properties.  The less than welcome news for aficionados is that the relationship changed and the Varners will be producing pinot noir under their own label from vineyard sources further south in the Santa Barbara area.

The Varners also made killer Chardonnay for many years from the Spring Ridge Vineyard, but alas 2014 will be the final vintage for those as well.