Decided to try out the entry level Pinot Noir from Spell Estate. A mix of crimson and garnet red. Initially tight on the nose and finally opened up with some dried herbs, floral notes and some toasted sandal wood. Definitely the most floral of the four Pinot Noirs. Some perfumed wood too. On day two and three some meaty and candied notes appeared. Cherry cola on the palate, with the texture too. Moderate tannins (6.5/10) and balanced acidity. Lots of dark black cherries, herbs and twigs. Medium body with great structure. Very approachable with a long finish.

Nicole's Blend is the entry level Pinot Noir made by Andrew Berge at Spell Estate. The fruit is sourced primarily from the DeVoto Vineyard which is located in the Green Valley viticultural area of the Russian River Valley. The vineyard is covered in a fine sandly loam called Goldridge and planted with Dijon clones 115, 667 and California 828. The additional sourced fruit for this Pinot Noir is from declassified barrels from the Umino, Terra de Promissio, and Alder Springs Vineyards. More details on those vineyards under the specific bottlings. The only vineyard we did not try separately was the Alder Springs Vineyard, which is located in the Mendocino County AVA. Alder Springs Vineyard is planted with the following clones; Dijon 459, 115, 667 and 777, with selections of Calera and DRC. The fruit from Alder Springs comes two different blocks located at an elevation ranging from 1,700 to 1,900 feet on a Southeastern facing slope. Soil here is volcanic-based with low vigor. Aged in 100% French oak of which 40% is new. Only 882 cases produced.

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