Eden Rift is one of the oldest continually operating estates in the US and is home to some of the earliest New World Pinot Noir plantings in 1861. Sitting at t 1,100 feet, Cienega Valley is divided by the San Andreas Fault, with soils on one side granite and sandstone, and the other is granite and limestone, giving an earthy, gravelly note to the richly structured, nicely concentrated wine.

Eden Rift Estate Pinot Noir ($55) is aged 10 months in 20% new French oak. Lush and textured, the wine opens with herbal tarragon, violet, and crushed stone. Flavors of dried cranberries and wild strawberry follow, with sweet baking spice like cinnamon and nutmeg, dried citrus peel, and lilac. The wine is beautiful now but will age beautifully for the next several years. Allow it to breathe a bit after opening before enjoying it.