I don’t know why, but I love a wine bottle with a deep punt (place for your thumb on the bottom of the bottle) and heavier weight. For me it somehow feels more luxurious.

So, for a start, before color, aroma or taste, we have bottle appearance, a whole new component that adds into our perception of a wine. Let’s see what else we can find in these two Guarachi Family Wines Pinot Noirs.

(Note: Though I have shared the tasting notes with you it is my practice not to read them – if I can – and make my own objective notes.)

2011 Pinot Noir

Gap’s Crown Vineyard Sonoma Coast

14.5% alcohol

From their website:

2013 NEW RELEASE

Bountiful fruit pairs with oak-inspired spice that melts in your mouth and makes for an exceptional food wine with soft yet lively acidity.

Varietal:  100% Pinot Noir

Appellation:  Sonoma Coast (Petaluma Wind Gap)

Vineyards:  Gap’s Crown

Yield:  3 tons/acre

Production:  634 6-pack cases

Oak:  Aged 11 months in 100% French oak, 65% NEW French oak

Alcohol:  14.5%

Eve’s Notes

Ruby red color in a one-ounce pour, aromas of cherry milk chocolate cordials, raspberry, earth, wet vines and oak. The taste was silky, until tangy cherries rise up and surprise you and then quickly soften, green peppercorns, dry, firm tannins and a lovely long finish.

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2011 Pinot Noir

Sonoma Coast

13.8% alcohol

From their website:

Strawberry, blueberry and floral nuances join firm yet silky tannins with layers of balanced fruit, minerality and a lasting smooth finish.

Varietal:  100% Pinot Noir

Appellation:  Sonoma Coast

Vineyards:  Gap’s Crown, Sun Chase, Goldrock Ridge

Yield:  3 tons/acre

Production:  1,293 6-pack cases

Oak:  Aged 11 months in 100% French oak, 55% new French oak

Alcohol:  13.8

Eve’s Notes

The color was of black cherries; aromas reminiscent of strawberry, cherry, plum, cloves, allspice, earth and forest floor; the taste was of bright red fruits, white pepper and balanced tannins.

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Disclosure: These wines were sent to me for review.