The Cliff Notes: The raspberry color opens to cinnamon spice, shaved oak and tangy cherry. Mineral and savory with a tart cherry core, the wine races through vanilla, oak, and meat before tailing out on white pepper. Very young, this wine demands age, for which its racy delicacy will reward; or food pairing, if the bottle must be opened.

The Story: Typically shy, but atypically delicate in 2007, my block from Anderson Family needs more time. As such, it is a wine that will reward patience with nuanced and layered flavors in the three- to four-year timeframe. Until then, as perhaps suggested by its Nordic name, it reserves the option to bring the hammer of Thor, best mollified by food, to your table.

Cases Produced: 96

The Building of: Small-lot wild yeast fermentations, 100% barrel aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (one new, one twice-filled, two neutral). Bottled unfined and unfiltered in March of 2009.

Ageability: Hold it or absolutely decant to get it air within its first three years. Well cellared you should anticipate additional complexity during its first 10 years with a potential 12- to 20-year drinking horizon.

Alcohol: 13%

pH: 3.61

Vineyards: The steep and rocky South Block of Anderson Family Vineyards is dry- farmed 17-year-old Dijon 115 clone Pinot noir. As such it is some of the oldest Dijon clone Pinot noir in the state, and the site naturally sets some of the smallest berries and clusters. Oh, and it always delivers  plenty of structure.