Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

Robert ParkerThere are just under 900 cases of the 2013 Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard, and like the de Villiers cuvee, it spent 19 months in 30% new barrels. This is a big, rich, yet still graceful Pinot Noir that's loaded with notions of mulberries, sappy underbrush, licorice, violets and dried earth. Mouth-filling, polished, balanced and concentrated, this changed dramatically with extended airing, and where it was a touch burly on opening, the tannin sweetened up beautifully and it showed much more polish with air. Nevertheless, there's ample tannin here and it should be given 2-3 years of cellaring. When all is said and done, this might be the finest vintage of this cuvee to date.

VinousA big, powerful wine, the 2013 Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard packs a serious punch. Dark, bold flavors abound, the result of a drought year that produced tiny berries. Readers will have to be patient, as the Ryan is likely to require quite a bit of time to come around. Even at this early stage, though, it is super-impressive. The 100% whole clusters are nearly buried by the sheer intensity of the fruit. Today, the Ryan is the most tannic, backward and brooding of these Pinots.