Sean Minor Carneros Pinot Noir 2012: Cherry, plum, strawberry, sweet oak; big fruity fruit attack on the front end, but stays somewhat one-dimensional after that with short finish; a lot of fruitiness without the etherial finesse pinot noir can achieve; mild tannin, restrained acidity. This comes from Carneros/American Canyon, the southernmost part of Napa Valley, close by San Pablo Bay, and reflects the fleshy, fruity-focused Napa style (a style which reminds me of big-hair Texas women; beautiful, sure, but maybe could be toned down a notch). A lot of people will love this, no doubt, and Sean Minor is a major player in the artful Napa wine world—the grapes are picked at night until first light, then de-stemmed and cold-soaked three days, open-top fermentation, thrice-daily punchdowns of must and pommace, malolactic fermentation, 10 months in French barrels. Medium body, big fruit, tasty treat. $18
