15.4%
alc., $65. The only wine in the lineup with significant (100% in this case) stem
inclusion. Because the fruit is picked late, the stems raise the acidity to balance
the prodigious fruit and tannins. 100% Pommard.
·Quite distinctive with a
heavily perfumed nose of cut flowers and spice. Plenty of mouth coating sweet
red and black fruit augmented by prominent spice flavors. The tannins are
restrained and well-integrated. An enjoyable sipping wine. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.2%
alc., 235 cases, $54. Multiple frost events led to a tiny crop of less than a half ton
per acre in some places.
·Subdued aromas of dark berries with a hint of smoke.
Bright and juicy mineral-laden flavors of red and blue berries. Vibrant and
refreshing with a smooth mouth feel and some persistence. A promising wine
that is still undeveloped and will require time for full oak integration. More
delicate than the 2007 version, but will certainly rival it with more time in the
bottle. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.2% alc., $59. Three favorite barrels aged in 66% new
French oak.
·Noticeably lighter in color than the 2007 version of this wine. Don’t
be put off by the color, however, as the wine is well-structured and full-flavored.
Oak char is dominating the nose at this stage and underlies the flavor profile as
well. Delicious strawberry and cherry flavors peek out which are vivid and
satisfying. The tannins are restrained leading to a pleasingly soft mouth feel.
Immature and closed, this wine will need at least two years in the cellar. Slightly
better the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.0% alc., $37.40. 100% Pommard clone. Beginning with the 2009
vintage, Ojai will be replaced by Arcadian.
·A delicate style which is
immensely pleasing. Flavorful red strawberries and raspberries framed
by bright acidity and gossamer tannins. Minerality is prevalent throughout.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.7% alc., $40.
100% clone 115.
·The nose lacks interest offering primarily aromas of herbal oak
and little fruit. Rich, even sappy, blue and black fruits with aggressive rough
tannins. A simple, husky wine that may be going through a dumb phase.
Decent.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.9%
alc., $45. Clones 115 and 667.
·Bright aromas of dark berries, brown spice and
fresh-cut flowers. Riper flavors with an underlying riff of tar and earth framed by
bold tannins. Fruit-driven and flashy. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.1% alc.,
$50.
·The berry aromas are shy but charming. Rich and full-flavored core
of lovely plum and blackberry fruits. Harmonious and thirst-quenching, this
wine is a perfect marriage of finesse and powerful flavors.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Ken Brown Clos Pepe Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
14.7%
alc., $50. 100% Pommard.
·Lightest in color of the lineup of wines.
Demure aromas of cherries and berries. Well-flavored red and blue fruits
with lively acidity on the bright finish. Less tannic and more elegant than
past Clos Pepe bottlings from Ken Brown and more to my liking.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.7% alc., $50.
·Alluring scents of darker Pinot fruits with hints of herbs and violets. Mouthcoating
and persistent flavors of plums and blackberries with round, restrained
tannins. A riper style that is well composed. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.1% alc., 241
cases, $50.
·The nose offers aromas of dark berries, oak and creosol. Rich and
fruit-driven, and somewhat linear. Very smoothly textured with caressing tannins
and acidity. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
13.9% alc., 550 cases, $54. 50% 115, 25% 667, 25% 777. Beginning in
2008, Pommard clone will be added to the Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir
bottling.
·Lovely aromas of fresh-picked berries, plums, grape must, and a
hint of mint and floral bouquet. Discreetly concentrated core of mildly
sweet red and black fruits, with flavors of sassafras, tea, soy and oak
adding interest. A vein of minerality adds to the pleasure. Smoothly textured with
some persistence on the finish.WINERY »ARTICLE »
13.9% alc., 72 cases, $59. A tank bottle (from bottom of tank).
Favorite barrels in the cellar.
·Off scent and flavor which largely resolves over
time revealing shy aromas of black cherries, raspberries and blackberries which
carry over in the flavor profile. Soft and smooth in the mouth, with the fruit well
caressed by balancing tannins and acidity. Not up to the bottle I sampled in May
2009 which was exceptional. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
13.8% alc., $45.
·Deep reddish-brown, even
mahogany color in the glass. Subdued aromas of macerated strawberries, brown spices, leather, roses and
green garden. Performs better as it opens in the glass. On the palate, the berry fruits are complimented by
flavors of brown sugar, bacon, smoke and grapefruit. A lively grip of acidity highlights the finish. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
1996 Kalin Cellars Cuvée Sonoma County Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., $45.
·Moderately deep reddish-purple color with a golden rim in the glass. Much better
color than the 1998 vintage. Aromas of beef stew, marzipan, and bacon fat with
a hint of smoke, ash, nuts and latrine. Many subtle and highly nuanced flavors
including blackberries, plums, beef, braised meats and a lingering hi-strung citrus
note on the snappy finish. Still possesses some rich fruit on the mid palate and
the mouth feel has become plush and inviting. Has held up extremely well with
considerable interest and intrigue and will perform nicely at the table. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.5% alc., 303 cases, $40.
Sourced from Turner, Yard and Lindsay’s vineyards, all located in the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Clones 114, 115, 777
and Pommard. Aged 12 months in 15% new French oak.
·Aromas of darker cherry and berry fruit with notes of
marzipan. Juicy core of black cherry fruit with underlying forest floor and earthy flavors. Bright acidity and
softly toned tannins with some persistence of pleasing dried cherry on the aromatic finish. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.5% alc., 299 cases, $40. This vineyard was established by Dennis Turner in
2000 and planted and cultivated by Ryan Carr, consisting of 15 acres of Pinot
Noir, 3 acres of Pinot Gris and 3 acres of Syrah. Fourth harvest yielding 2 tons
per acre. Aged for 12 months in 20% new oak.
·Pleasing aromas of berry jam,
cherries, spice and nutmeg gathering intensity with time in the glass. Delicious essence
of black cherries with hints of red licorice and minerality leading to a tangy and lengthy
finish highlighting bright cherry aromas. The slightly grainy tannins are well integrated
and the lively acidity provides refreshing drinking. A well composed and impressive
effort that really shows off the purity and vividness of Sta. Rita Hills fruit and acidity.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Signatera Benziger Giusti Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.47, 825 cases, $49. From a 7-acre vineyard planted in 2000 to
clones 667, 115 and 777. The vineyard is located in one of the warmer areas of
the Russian River Valley, nicknamed the “banana belt” of the appellation.
Certified sustainably grown. Aged in 35% new French oak for 11 months.
·A fruity
nose displaying aromas of Bing cherries, strawberries, raspberries, cut flowers
and herbs. Delicious black cherry bombast that is discreetly concentrated and
embellished with notes of dark chocolate, cola, spice and edible flowers. Silky
and delicate, this wine is quite charming with respectable length on the pleasing
finish. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Signaterra Benziger Bella Luna Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
2007 Signaterra Benziger San Remo Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., pH 3.62, 650 cases, $49. 5.24 acres planted to
Dijon 115, 667 and 777 in Goldridge series soils. Farmed sustainably.
Aged 11 months in 35% new French oak.
·I just loved the nose of delicately
spiced cherries. Lovely and generously flavored dark red cherry,
strawberry and rhubarb fruit with the faintest underpinning of oak, loamy earth
and spice. Juicy and bright with the fruit-forwardness that has made Russian
River Valley Pinots so desirable.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 de Coelo Benziger Quintos Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
17% alc., 9% residual sugar, 50 cases, $130 (375 ml). 7th
bottling of this wine. A blend of one barrel each from the 2005 and 2006 vintages. 130-year-old vines. Raised
two years in neutral barrels during which time the color changes from a rose to an amber shade.
·A highly
unique and immensely pleasing sipping wine offering flavors of root beer, caramel and nuts. Very smooth on
the palate and leaving more of a dry than sweet impression on the finish. A perfect accompaniment to five-year
aged gouda cheese. This is one of the most distinctive and limited meritorious wines produced in California
today. Very good (+).WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Ambullneo Vineyards Bulldog Pinot Noir
250 cases. 25% whole cluster.
·More forward than the 2007
vintage taking on more charm with time in the glass. Plentiful juicy berry and cherry flavors with a touch of
spice and pine pitch. Harmonious tannic backbone. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Greg Linn Wines Rim Rock Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
60 cases. 100% whole cluster.
·Tight aromas of dark fruits, cut flowers and green beans. Chunky and immature, with substantial tannins. The
fruit core is delicious and the smooth texture is heavenly. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Costa De Oro Estate Dijon Clones Gold Coast Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
Strikingly
aromatic and fruity. Very smoothly textured with soft, supple tannins. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
Barrel sample. From a single
500L oak puncheon.
·Strikingly nuanced with aromas of yellow stone fruits, spice and petrol. Rich and mouth
filling white peaches, tropical fruits and citrus combine with subtle oak highlights to produce a beautifully
composed wine that will be special when bottled.WINERY »ARTICLE »
14.0% alc.. 100% whole cluster
fermented. Calera and 828 clones.
·Deep, dark color. Flush with dark stone fruits and dark chocolate on the
nose and palate with more extraction, ripeness and tannin than the Quarter Moon bottling or the 2007 bottling
of this wine.WINERY »ARTICLE »
13.26% alc.. 100% whole
cluster fermented in an oak open-top fermenter.
·Hi-tone aromas of well-spiced red fruits. The layered fruits
are vivid and juicy accented by notes of earthiness and savoriness. Despite the whole cluster fermentation, no
sign of a green edge. Still has tannins to shed. The acidity is bright. More forward than the 2007 vintage.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Freestone Vineyards Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Barrel sample. Composed of best barrels in the
cellar.
·A step up in complexity and expression. Pleasing mineraility. Amazing aromatic persistence on the
generous finish.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Freestone Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc.. Barrel sample.
·Wow! The aromatics
really pop with scents of wild berries and cherry tart replete with baking spices. Rich and ripe, fruit-forward and
attacking.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Costa De Oro Estate Gold Coast Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
$32. Barrel sample.
Primarily Martini clone. Grapes were de-stemmed, cold soaked for 3-6 days, inoculated with Assmanshausen
yeast, manual punch downs, pressed to barrel at dryness and aged in 25% new Francois Freres French oak
barrels for 14 months. Lightly egg-white fined, unfiltered.
·Bright purple fruit with accents of spice box, clove
and earth. Substantial tannins with impressive persistence on the pleasing finish. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Paul Lato “Matinee” California Pinot Noir
75 cases, $35. Barrel sample. This is Paul’s first attempt at
a blended wine using barrels from Solomon Hills, Pisoni and Gold Coast vineyards that didn’t fit the vision for
the single vineyard bottlings. Inexpensively priced as a thank you to customers and possibly a good fit for
restaurant by-the-glass programs.
·A simple, delicately composed wine featuring dark Pinot fruits with a healthy
tannic backbone and a somewhat shallow finish. A perfect daily drinker. Decent.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Greg Linn Wines White Hills Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Sauvignon Blanc
125 cases, $39. Styled
in the image of Didier Dagueneau wines, an iconoclastic Loire Valley winemaker. Raised in oak, 50% MLF.
·Bright, juicy and layered pear and citrus flavors, with a discreet richness and backbone ending with a
refreshing hi-strung finish. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Zito Family Tres Ninos Vineyard Zinfandel
13.2% alc., $49.
·A shy nose leads to a delicious fruity core
of purple fruits with hints of peppery spices. Uncommonly light on its feet for a California Zinfandel, and easy
to drink. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Costa De Oro Estate Reserva Oro Rojo Gold Coast Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
$50.
Barrel sample. A barrel selection with extended barrel aging and more new oak. 75% Martini clone, 25% Dijon
clones 115 and 667.
·Aromas and flavors of wild blackberries and black raspberries with notes of white pepper,
spice and loamy underbrush. Delicious and persistent in the mouth with caressing grainy tannins. A special
wine deserving of the reserve designation. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Paul Lato “Le Souvenir” Sierra Madre Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
150 cases, $50.
Barrel sample. Sourced from the Sierra Madre Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. 11 year-old Wente clone vines.
70% new oak, 100% MLF, aged sur-lie, native yeast fermented, only first pressing, lightly filtered.
·Attractive
scent of lemons and roasted nuts. Delicious flavors of citrus and creme brulee with the faintest hint of oak.
Think Aubert Chardonnay brought down a notch. Very good (+).WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Paul Lato “Duende” Gold Coast Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
100 cases, $60. Barrel
sample. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. Martini clone, 14 year-old vines.
·Light in intensity and highly
aromatic in the fashion of a Chambolle Musigny. Dark fruits, underlying earthiness and edible flower. Wellstructured
to last. Down the road will become even more savory. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Paul Lato “Suerte” Solomon Hills Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
$65. Barrel sample.
Clones 115, 667 and 777.
·Appealing scents of spiced dark fruits and wet leaves. Moderately rich essence of
blue and black fruits with a spicy, earthy underpinning. Impressive persistence on the generous finish. The
tannins are well proportioned. Still very young but superb potential. Very good (+).WINERY »ARTICLE »
$70. Barrel sample. Clones 115,
667, 777.
·Moderately dark reddish-purple color. More tannic, loamy and savory than the other wines in the
lineup. The well-hung core of dark fruit is brooding which is not surprising as this wine is typically slow to
evolve. Big but not at all jammy. Develops increasing charm with time in the glass. Very good (+).WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Paul Lato “Lancelot” Pisoni Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
75 cases, $75.
·Paul tried to
invoke his trademark elegance with this wine but it is still BIG. It is stacked and packed with blackberries, black
raspberries, black plums, and cola, with a woodsy, toasty and grilled meat character. It is a formidable wine that
lacks charm and is not open for business at present. Judgment is out on this one until the wine mellows some
through bottle aging. Paul Lato unplugged.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2008 Gypsy Canyon Trois Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
150 cases, $95, some magnums. I tasted barrel
samples from a neutral oak barrel, a two-year-old oak barrel, and a new barrel. The two-year-old barrel really
stood out.
·Very aromatic with lifting notes of cherries, berries and spice, leading to a discreetly concentrated
core of black cherry fruit offering impressive finesse and drinkability. Impressive potential.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Greg Linn Wines Grangerville Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
300 cases. 100% whole cluster.
·A big,
intense and concentrated wine which is packed and stacked with beautiful black cherry and blackberry fruit. An
earthiness adds interest and noticeable oak offers secondary accents. Still flaunting flamboyant tannins. Very
good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Greg Linn Wines Hudson Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir
150 cases. 20% whole cluster.
·Typical of
Carneros, this wine displays more earthiness and animale. The rich core of dark and nicely spiced Pinot fruits
really impresses from entry to finish. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Greg Linn Wines Le Bon Climat Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
100 cases. 100% whole
cluster.
·Deep, dark color. Very tight but offers hints of greatness. Layers of dark fruits are evident highlighted
by notes of Asian plum sauce and black currants. A hint of green tomatoes surfaces on the nose. Showing
daunting tannins that will need time to resolve. Good now but will want to revisit in a couple of years when the
wine is more open for business.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Greg Linn Wines Rancho Ontiveras Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
150 cases. 100%
whole cluster.
·A fruit-driven attention-getter with a luscious core of perfectly ripe cherry and berry fruit. Plenty
of hi-class booty here. The moderately husky tannins are fine-grained and the finish is lengthy and generous.
Very good (+).WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Greg Linn Wines Rim Rock Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
100 cases. 100% whole cluster.
Clones 115 and 667 planted on their own roots. Greg is the only producer from this site (a “monopole”).
·Knock
out nose featured macerated wild berries with a hint of spice, herbs and soy. Delicious cherry and berry core
wrapped in healthy ripe tannins. Has an appealing exotic riff to the flavorful fruits. Very good (+).WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Kenneth Volk Vineyards Garey Ranch Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc.. Primarily
clone 777.
·The nose is quite savory with scents of soy and oak. Pleasing core of berry and plum fruit encased
in soft, dry tannins. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Kenneth Volk Vineyards Julia’s Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc..
·Shy cherry and
berry aromas and flavors. Smooth and harmonious with supporting touch of oak and earthiness. The tannins
are reigned in and the wine is quite drinkable now. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Kenneth Volk Vineyards Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc.. Clones 2A and
Pommard.
·Expressive and charming nose of fresh cherries and strawberries. Fruit flavors tend toward the
redder spectrum. Lighter-styled and enticing. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Kenneth Volk Vineyards Sierra Madre Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc..
·Lovely
scents of red fruits, roses and spice box which carry over in the flavor profile. Loaded with charm, the fruit is
vivid and focused. The finish has remarkable persistence. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Kenneth Volk Vineyards Solomon Hills Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc.. Clones
2A, Pommard, 23.
·Deeply colored. Plenty of hi-tone blackberry and black cherry fruit on the nose. A muscular
wine with thick dark fruit, almost inky in style. Plenty of tannin to shed. For fans of big-boned Pinot. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Kenneth Volk Vineyards The Shivering Rooster San Luis Obispo County Pinot Noir
15.8% alc..
Sourced from the Gallo Ranch located on Highway 1, the coldest site in San Luis Opispo County and very late
to ripen. Several clones including 2A, 667 and 777.
·Aromas of dark purple fruit and oak toast. Intense and
Syrah-like blackberry and black raspberry essence with fine-grain tannins. The alcohol is well integrated. A
showy, sappy wine that will find fans despite the heat it packs. Decent.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Fogdog Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
13.5% alc., $35. Sourced from
Dutton Ranch Mill Station and Sullivan vineyards. Aged 15 months in 60% new
and 40% two to three-year-old French oak barrels.
·Demure aromas of lemon
meringue tart and white stone fruits. Bright and crisp on the palate featuring
flavors of peaches, lemon curd and grapefruit with the faintest oak. The fruit
gives a delicate impression of sweetness. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Fogdog Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $35. 100%
estate grown. A mixture of several Dijon clones and several heirloom
selections. Aged 15 months in 40% new and 60% two to three-yearold
French oak barrels. Slow fermentation with 20% whole clusters.
·Dark and dense reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of
intensely perfumed wild berries, raspberries, and plums with a hint of
exotic spice box and oak. Remarkably rich for an entry level wine flaunting a
flavor palate of macerated berries, plum and pomegranate. Restrained, slightly
grainy tannins and a zippy, refreshing finish that features citrus peel and dried
berries. A good food wine with the right mix of intensity and delicate balance.
Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Ovation Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
14.0% alc., $45. A mix of estate
vineyard fruit (61%), Dutton Ranch (21%) and Bacigalupi (18%). Aged 15
months in 60% new and 40% two to three-year-old French oak barrels. The lees
are stirred frequently during primary fermentation (once a week) but not during
secondary fermentation. Meant to be a rich, full-bodied California styled
Chardonnay.
·Light golden yellow in color in the glass. Delicate but pleasing
scents of lemon curd, pear, white peach, tropical fruits, and steely minerality.
Delicious core of citrus and pear flavors with a hint of caramel and baking spice
all underlain with a crushed rock minerality. A citrus tang lifts the bright finish. A
highly nuanced wine that aims to please. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Ambullneo Vineyards Big Paw Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
200 cases, $49. Crafted in 100%
stainless steel.
·A big, Chablis-styled Chardonnay with brioche and crushed rock on the nose, and crisp flavors
of lemon curd and white stone fruits. Hi-tone acidity. Will give any 1er Cru Chablis a run for its money. Good.
Pair with veal, cream sauces.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Ambullneo Vineyards Fang Blanc Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
250 cases, $49. Aged in 25%
new French oak barrels. 100% barrel fermented.
·Moderately rich with lovely flavors of white peaches, pear
and honey with a supporting note of oak. Very good (+). Pair with white fish.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Greg Linn Wines Grangerville Santa Maria Valley Chardonnay
250 cases, $49. Grangerville is the
original name of Santa Maria. Aged in 100% new French oak barrels.
·The richest Chardonnay in the lineup
with the oak offering caramel and spice accents to the flavors of white stone fruits and creme brulee. Finishes
with a refreshing grip of lime peel. Good. Pair with fish with lemon.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Freestone Vineyards Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $55. 100% estate grown fruit. Aged 15
months in 65% new and 35% two and three-year-old French oak barrels. 43% whole cluster.
·Nuanced
aromatics featuring scents of berry tart, sandalwood, and barnyard. Spicy, tenacious palate of wild berries and
plump cherries set off by notes of savory herbs and sweet oak. Rich and generous, yet offering style and
grace. Just when you are content, it wows you some more with a memorable spice box finish. Very good (+).WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Ambullneo Vineyards Bulldog Pinot Noir
400 cases, $69. A cuvée from several vineyard sources and
the Ambullneo flagship wine. 100% whole cluster.
·Pretty core of berry, cherry and plum fruit with a faint spice
box and herbal edge. Restrained tannins and bright acidity. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2006 Ambullneo Vineyards Howling Rim Rock Vineyard Syrah
$69. Aged three years in barrel. 25%
whole cluster.
·Pleasing aromas of dark berries, plum sauce, white pepper and smoky oak. The purple fruits
are discreetly concentrated and wrapped in soft, dry tannins. More restrained than many California Syrahs and
one that will appeal to Pinot drinkers. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2006 Gypsy Canyon Lot 2 Santa Rita Creek Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $75.
·Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of roasted
stone fruits, smoke and pork belly. Ripe flavors of currants, marzipan and root
beer. Silky textured with welcoming finesse and a dry, aromatic finish. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2006 Gypsy Canyon Santa Rita Creek Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $75.
·Moderate garnet color in the glass. Initially the nose offers
delicate red fruits, savory herbs, oak and hay progressing over time to notes of
dried fruits, green tea and dark chocolate. Ripe fruit flavors with accents of
chocolate, green tea and finishing dry with a hint of citrus peel. Mediumweighted
with admirable elegance and balance. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
13.5% alc., 4 cases, auction item, not for sale.
·I love this nose!
Beautifully composed scents of fresh cherries, strawberries and Asian spice.
Tasty berry core highlighting cranberry with the slightest spice accent. Delicate
and bordering on dilute, but packing a wallop of flavor. Supple tannins, zippy
acidity, and perfectly adapted for the dinner table. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Row Eleven Viñas 3 Three Vineyards California Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., $15.69.
·A simple and
straightforward moderately light wine with aromas of black cherries and black raspberries, sugar cone and oak.
Nondescript in the mouth with simple cherry flavors. Soft tannins make for easy drinkability. Decent.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Anaba J McK Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $28.
A new winery owned by John Sweazey located in the town of Sonoma.
From the sustainably farmed J McK Vineyard located in the heart of
Sonoma Carneros.
·Pleasing red cherry and berry scents with
underlying smoke and herbal oak. A medium-weighted wine replete
with red cherry, cranberry, red hard candy and brown spice flavors with
a bright riff of cherries haunting the lingering finish. The flavor profile reminds
me of a Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Anaba Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $28. Destemmed,
fermented in one-ton. Aged in French oak barrels for 17
months.
·Very attractive scent of wild berries, oak vanillin and rose
petals. Tasty mixed blue and black berry core accented by notes of
cola, smoothly textured with supple tannins, and offering a refreshingly
bright finish. Highly drinkable now and a charming wine with some
flair. Very good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Russian River Vineyards Mendocino County Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., $28. Small lot
fermented, aged 1 year in 30% new French oak barrels.
·Complex aromatic profile featuring
black cherries, herbs, forest floor, oak and a little barnyard. Dark stone fruits are lavishly
oaked, the tannins are supple, and a firm grip of citrus-driven acidity brings up the finish.
Needs food. Decent.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Capiaux Chimera Sonoma County Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., $30.
·An offbeat nose displaying scents of
smoky oak, green brush, and exotic spices. More enjoyable in the mouth with a light core of darker cherry and
berry fruits accented by notes of cola, root beer, oak and string bean. Lacks flair and interest. Decent.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Varner Spring Ridge Vineyard Hidden Block Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir
14.6% alc., $35. Eight-year-old vines.
·The nose
is more savory than fruity while the wine is intensely fruity in the mouth.
Very tasty core of raspberry fruit with an underpinning of baking spices
and oak. Very satisfying and persistent on the palate offering a silky
smooth mouth feel and showing perfect integration of alcohol, acid and
tannin indicating age ability. Light on its feet and packed with flavor.
Even more impressive the next day from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Russian River Vineyards Limited Left Edge Selection Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $60.Anthony Austin is the winemaker. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels.
Dark reddish-purple color in the glass.
·A touch of reduction initially resolves with time in the
glass revealing smoky and woodsy dark cherry and berry fruits. The black raspberry and
black cherry fruit displays an impressive fullness and roundness in the mouth, but the wine
offers little nuance or flavor impact. The tannins are beautifully integrated and the
refreshing finish is bright with citrus peel acidity. A linear, fruit-driven wine that may offer
more interest given more time in the cellar. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2007 Soliste Sonatera Vineyard T Block Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.6%
alc., 323 cases, $68. A collaboration between long time friends Elisabeth and
Claude Koeberle and Beth and Donald Plumley. The name, Soliste, is derived
from the special barrel or soliste that Burgundian winemakers reserve for their
family and friends. Sonatera Vineyard is located on a ridge near the cooler part
of Sebastopol. Clones 115 and 777 planted in Goldridge sandy loam.
·Darkly
colored. The nose is dominated by savory spices including cardamon. The thick
plum and blackberry fruit is set off by notes of anise, vanillin and cream. Very
silky in the mouth with subtle fine tannins. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2006 Charlie Clay Duelist Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.7% alc., pH
3.57, 47 cases, $65. A partnership between restaurateur Charlie Palmer and
winemaker Clay Mauritson of Mauritson Winery in Dry Creek Valley. 2006 was
the inaugural vintage of Charlie Clay wines with the Duelist being a reserve
bottling. 85% Dutton Campbell Vineyard and 15% Bacigalupi Vineyard Wente
clone. On the wine list at Charlie Palmer’s restaurants.
·A riper styled Pinot Noir
which approaches but never reaches overripeness. Aromas of macerated
strawberries, sandalwood and sweet oak. Juicy essence of berry compote
trending to the red and blue berry spectrum with substantial oak in the
background. A well-crafted wine that aims to please with vigorous fruit, soft
tannins, bright acidity and some persistence on the finish. Good.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2005 Mahoney Vineyards Las Brisas Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir
14.5 alc., $27.
·Perfume of overripe
strawberries, raisins, marzipan and oak toast. The slightly roasted and brown-sugared fruits are buttressed by
soft tannins creating a very smooth mouth feel. Decent.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2005 Whitcraft Winery Morning Dew Ranch Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
12.4% alc., $50. Unfined and
unfiltered.
·One look at the very dark reddish-purple color in the glass and you know what’s coming. Intense
and powerful aromas of blackberries, plums and cardamon spice. A muscular wine with a full on load of dense,
deep, thick and almost jammy well-spiced dark fruits. A quirky wine with a big booty that packs in plenty of
flavor without the heat. Over the top for me. Decent.WINERY »ARTICLE »
2004 Whitcraft Winery Aubaine Vineyard San Luis Obispo County Pinot Noir
15.1% alc..
·Deeply colored.
Bright dark roasted fruits with noticeable oak char on the nose. In the mouth the wine is packed with dense
dark stone fruits with some sweetness evident from the alcohol. Thick and chewy with bold tannins and a
grainy texture. An off-putting chemical note brings up the aftertaste. Unsatisfactory.WINERY »ARTICLE »
Robert Parker’s 100 point wine scoring system, which became popular in 1983 and adopted by the Wine Spectator in 1988, has been a homing beacon for consumers seeking to buy good wine. Currently, a majority of United States based wine critics and magazines use the 100 point scale.
The reality is that the 100 point scale is actually a 10 point scale.
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A Note About Prices
Price shown in a tasting note is either the winery-direct price or the retail price paid by the Prince.
Conversation with Stephen Pepe of Clos Pepe Vineyard & Estate Wines
