Today’s Daniel 2012 Anderson Valley Ferrington Vineyard Pinot Noir is a truly superb wine. In fact, the wine is so excellent that one of our tasting panelists could not help but exclaim, “Wow, this is great Pinot!”

We concur.

Winemaker Dan Fitzgerald honed his Pinot-making skills at Williams-Selyem Winery, makers of some of the most exclusive Pinots in the world. Prior to his stint at Selyem, Dan made wines for James Halliday’s Coldstream Hills Winery in Australia’s Yarra Valley, Robert Sinskey Vineyards in Napa Valley and Pellegrini Family Vineyards.

This guy has serious skills.

Aromas leap out of the glass, led by cherry cola, red plum, sassafras and earl grey tea. As the wine opens, it unpacks wild mushroom, fall forest floor, cherry preserve, orange blossom, dried rose petal and dried raspberry.

On the palate, this wine bursts with balanced flavors of Bing cherry, raspberry, wild strawberry, Santa Rosa plum, dried violet, dried mushroom, forest floor, cedar and a hint of flinty mineral.

This is a must-buy Pinot Noir, dear Operatives. Enjoy now and over the next few years.