This Klopp Ranch is bold, forward and appealing. When I tasted a glass recently, it brought back memories of my days at Mount Eden Vineyard in the 1970s. The best Pinots I made there had a unique aroma of black pepper. This distinctive characteristic is clearly present in the 2009 vintage. Add to this loads of dark hedgerow fruit, chocolate, anise and sweet toasty oak. It’s smooth on the entry with plenty of firm tannins and excellent length, making it a serious candidate for longterm aging.