2015 Cincuenta Y Cinco

(12.8% alcohol): Moderately saturated medium red. Pungent aromas of cranberry, raspberry and peppery herbs are lifted by cinnamon, nutmeg and sandalwood and complicated by a slightly rustic leathery nuance. Juicy, spicy, dry and penetrating, with a strong peppery whole-cluster quality to its classically dry but fine-grained raspberry and leather flavors. No easy sweetness here; in fact, this is rather uncompromisingly dry. Strong saline minerality contributes to the impression of energy and definition. Still quite youthfully tight on the lingering, spicy back end. Not a hugely ripe Pinot Noir but has all the elements to evolve gracefully for at least the next five years. I marked it down a bit only for its leathery element. 

- Stephen Tanzer (05/2017)