A “party in a bottle!” That’s how one of our tasting panel members described the delicious, delightful Rumpus Cellars 2013 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. This wine is not only great fun to drink, it is also the best Sonoma Coast Pinot we’ve tasted in recent memory.

Winemaker Scott Peterson shows off his considerable skills by delivering a wine that drinks way above its price class. This lovely, lively, elegant Pinot drinks like a wine of $50 or more. It has balance, complexity, great fruit and a very elegant mouthfeel.

On the nose, this Pinot is deep and fragrant, with Bing cherry, raspberry and Alpine strawberry in the lead. These are followed up by dried wild mushroom, forest floor, subtle spice and a hint of leather. Flavorwise, the wine is juicy - and bursting with Bing cherry, strawberry, red currant and cranberry, underpinned by forest floor, mineral, sweet licorice, sandalwood and pomegranate.