HITCHING POST HIGHLINER PINOT NOIR - 2001

From Hartley Ostini, this is the Pinot Noir made famous by the movie Sideways. Santa Barbera County with 13.4% alcohol.

TASTING NOTES:

Garnet color with ripping acidity. Flavors of cranberry, plum and pomegranate are overshadowed by the oak which dulls the fruit. Good mouthfeel and pleasant overall, but needs more time in the bottle.

SCORE & RECOMMENDATION:

88 - 90 PTS

I really love the racey acidity in this wine. It reminds me of a great Etude Pinot. The wine is drinking like an 88 point wine at the moment but has potential to improve. Two days after the bottle was open, this wine tasted its best like a 90 pointer. It really begins to take shape suggesting that this wine needs more time in the bottle to overcome some alcohol and oak issues.