Samsara Las Hermanas Vineyard Pinot Noir Sta Rita Hills 2014 750ml

Samsara is the small Sta. Rita Hills label of Chad Melville, whose family's Melville Vineyards helped define the appellation, and its Las Hermanas Vineyard Pinot Noir is one of the most distinctive wines in the range. Planted to clones 115 and 777, the site gave a 2014 of real personality from an early, drought-affected vintage that produced intense yet fresh wines. Expect red currant, kirsch, blueberry and mulberry with violet, lavender, potpourri and leather notes, a plump, rounded texture and fine, chiseled tannins. Vinous called it "Fresh, nuanced and super-expressive," with intense, perfumed aromatics. Drinking well now, it should hold for several more years.