2012 Copain Pinot Noir Kiser En Haut Anderson Valley

(92 Points)The 2012 Pinot Noir Kiser En Haut is bright and beautifully delineated from the very first taste. Freshly cut flowers, mint and crushed rocks add nuance to a core of precise, crystalline fruit in a Pinot that impresses for its energy. Interestingly, the 2013 was made from fully destemmed fruit. Readers should plan on cellaring the 2012 for at least a year or two to allow the firm tannins to soften a bit. I imagine the Kiser En Haut will always remain a slightly compact, nervous Pinot. I was quite taken with the wines I tasted from Copain and proprietor Wells Guthrie this year. The Tous Ensemble range delivers outstanding value, while the best Syrahs and Pinots soar with exceptional beauty and a sense of weightlessness that is compelling. In particular, several of the 2012 Syrahs are utterly captivating. Guthrie is among the producers who prefers to pick at slightly lower sugars, quite a move from the much riper style he was once known for. Although the winery is located in the heart of the Russian River Valley, all of the wines are made from vineyards in and around Anderson Valley and Yorkville Highlands...Readers will find much to admire in these gorgeous, artisan wines. (Vinous 1/2015)