Coyote's Run Black Paw Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012

The heavier, dark Toledo clay loam of the Black Paw Vineyard is more common in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It is (relatively speaking) a newer soil (15,000 years old) that was formed from lake-bed deposits from glacial Lake Iroquois, the same lake that carved the Niagara Escarpment. The Toledo clay contains more organic matter than the Trafalgar clay, and as a result, this soil holds more water and has higher heat retention. It's quite tricky to grow vines on this soil, but the resulting fruit develops distinct character. The nose shows concentrated black cherry, violets, cassis, strawberry with subtle spice and foraged morels. I love the balance on the palate to go with complexity and layers of interesting fruit and spice. More evident tannins here than the Red Paw. Funky Niagara Pinot with its own unique personality. Score - 91. (Rick VanSickle, winesinniagara.com, June 1, 2014)