2013 Pinot Noir (Sonoma Coast)

This lineup from Pax Mahle and Wind Gap is full of gems. After having spent a considerable amount of time in France, Italy and Napa Valley over the last year, I was simply blown away by not only the quality of these wines, but their pricing, which is so consumer friendly. I imagine many Vinous readers will be attracted to the vineyard designates, but in my view, the appellation-level Pinot and Syrah are every bit as delicious, sometimes moreso. The Wind Gap wines are made from cool sites that ripen at lower sugars than some of the sites Pax Mahle works with in his other projects. A high amount of whole clusters, often 100%, and aging in mostly neutral oak yields delicate, lifted wines long on personality and class. I can't recommend these wines highly enough.