2007 Tondré Tondré Grapefield Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 400 cases, $43. Winemaker Anthony Craig (Sonnet, Muns
Vineyard, Silver Mountain Vineyards), grower Joe Tondre Alarid. 60%
Pommard, 40% 777. 37% Hungarian oak. 100% de-stemmed.
·
Seductive
aromas of dark berry tart, plum sauce with notes of spice and vanilla.
Very tasty essence of black raspberries with a complimentary peppery
spice and a hint of mocha java. Very charming with impeccable balance and a
silky mouth feel that makes an impression. Quintessential Santa Lucia
Highlands at a sensible price (Note: retail price is $43 which is not
unreasonable considering the quality, but I found it for $23 at Bottle Barn in
Santa Rosa: apparently a close out on this vintage as it was released December 2009).
2008 Lucia Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 550 cases, $40. From Garys’ and Pisoni
vineyards, about 50% each.
·
Deep, dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Ripe and raisiny nose with scents of
porto and sassafras. The flavors follow in step in this well-balanced wine that is appealingly soft in the mouth.
Decent.
2008 Chehalem Stoller Vineyards Dundee Hills Pinot Noir
13.2% alc., $36, screw cap.
·
Aromas of dark red
cherries and berries, generously oaked. Very demure and reserved red berry flavors which are rather linear.
Soft and smooth with a well-proportioned tannic backbone and oak playing a supporting role. Like many 2008
Pinot Noirs from Oregon, this one needs more time in the cellar. Potentially charming. Good.
2008 Suacci Carciere Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.6% alc., $33.
From a 6.5-acre vineyard planted in the especially cool Blucher Valley southwest
of Sebastopol. Clones 115 and 777. 100% de-stemmed, indigenous and
resident yeast fermentation, aged 11 months in French oak barrels. Winemaker
is Ryan Zepaltas (Siduri, Zepaltas).
·
Moderately light, redder-toned color in the
glass. Reduction apparent upon opening and the wine needs some coaxing to
emerge. Appealing red berry and cherry flavors, generously spiced, with soft
tannins and a welcoming, elegant framework. Considerable more aromatic and
flavorful the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This
wine will reward further cellaring. Very good. (Note: the 2007 Suacci Carciere
Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay is a stunning wine)
2008 August Truth Split Rock Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.46, $38. Dijon clones.
Aged 14 months in oak. Winemaker is Chris Nelson. Deeply colored.
·
Brooding black fruits which are super
ripe with a kiss of oak. Noticeably intense and big-boned array of black raspberry and black plum flavors with a
slightly stewed tone, underpinned with notes of earth and oak char. Reserved, slightly grainy tannins with a
good acid backbone. Decent.
2007 Valdez Lancel Creek Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5%
alc., $48.
·
Moderately dark ruby color in the glass. Lovely, spirited nose brightly
perfumed with black cherries and boysenberries accented with a floral note.
Ripely flavored and muscular in style with prodigious black current, black plum
and dark berry flavors wrapped in flamboyant tannins. Needs a big steak.
Valdez wines are not bashful or demure, and reflect Ulises Valdez’s gregarious
personality. Good (+).
2008 Sean Thackrey Andromeda Devil’s Gulch Vineyard Marin County Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., $45.
·
Moderately light in color. Unique array of aromas
including green garden, cut flowers, and Ponzu. The flavors are unusual and
challenging to describe in the manner that I have come to expect from this
quirky, talented producer. The wine does not follow the usual hardline flavor
profile of Pinot Noir but does offer some tasty black cherry and berry fruit. A
leafy, green note runs consistently through the taste profile as well as oakderived
vanilla. Soft in the mouth and nicely balanced, this wine was more
interesting the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Could
be very interesting a few years down the road. For the adventurous. Good (+).
(Note: Sean Thackrey:Wine Maker website is a highly recommended visit if you have any interest in the history
of winemaking)
2008 Bedrock Rebecca’s Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4%
alc., 189 cases, $34 (sold out). From a tiny winery owned by winemaker Morgan
Twain-Peterson. Sourced from a 12-year-old vineyard owned by the
Hermsmeyer family across the street from Joe Swan Winery and adjacent
Kistler’s Vine Hill Vineyard. Native yeast fermentation. Aged in 55% new supertight-
grained French oak barrels. Racked once before blending and bottling.
·
Brooding nose initially, opening slowly to reveal delicate aromas of spiced black
cherries and subtle oak notes. Delicious middle to heavy weight core of black
cherry and black raspberry fruit with a pouty kiss of cherries that sails smoothly
through the long finish. The seductive fruit has a mineral component and is
robed in young, healthy tannins. Oak contributes flavors of spice and mocha java. Still young, and deserving
of a few years in the cellar to soften the tannins and fully integrate the oak. Great potential here. Very good.
2007 Bien Nacido Vineyards Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., $52.
The inaugural bottling under the Bien Nacido Vineyards label.
·
Deep reddishpurple
color in the glass. Ripe black cherry and black raspberry aromas with
plenty of smoky, toasted oak. Abundance of very ripe-flavored dark berry, black
currant and black plum fruit dragged down by too much smoky oak. Softly
textured and easy to approach, with the structure to age. Disappointing at this
price especially considering the venerated vineyard source. Decent.
2009 Ledson Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.95, 693
cases, $60. Aged 10 months in65% new French oak barrels.
·
Very dark
reddish-purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of fresh ripe, crushed
strawberries, dried cherries and spice box. Attacks the palate with a load of
Pinot extract, offering a plush drinking experience with subtle oak highlights, but
lacking in acid backbone. Plenty of velvety flesh on the bones and fruit-lovers
will adore this Caliesque wine, but I don’t think it has enough tannin and acid to
go the distance and is best consumed young. Good (+).
2009 Byron Nielson Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.9%
alc., 1,028 cases, $34. From Santa Barbara’s first commercial vineyard,
planted in 1964. Clones are 2A, Swan, 667, 828, 114, 115, 777. Small
yields and tiny berries from a windy, arid site producing low-vigor. Aged
16 months in 30% new French oak barrels.
·
Highly aromatic with scents
of plum reduction sauce, dark roses, lavender and Santa Maria spice.
The flavors of dark plums, purple grapes and dark berries are quite distinctive
and zesty, with an impressive aromatic lift of black cherries on the finish. A little
earthy, a little spicy, with well-proportioned fine-grain tannins and a pleasingly
smooth mouth feel. Drank beautifully the next day from a previously opened
and re-corked bottle. Immensely satisfying. (Note: the 2009 Byron Santa Maria
Valley bottling at $25 is quite good as well and was reviewed previously)
2008 Native9 Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $60.
·
Moderately deep reddish-purple color in the glass. Dark
cherry and berry perfume with striking Moroccan spice and an underlying
green, stemmy note. A medium-bodied mix of cherries and berries taking on
more intensity over time in the glass and assuming a savory herbal tone. I
suspect the whole cluster fermentation contributes the attractive spice
elements to this wine as well as the unattractive green component. Tasted
later in the day with dinner, the wine really sang with the food. Tasted the
following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the green edge to
the aromas and flavors was still evident. Time will tell whether this will change.
Good.
2009 Simple Math Cellars Integer II Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.6% alc.,
pH 3.93, 70 cases, $35. Sourced from Keller, Rodgers Creek and Sangiacomo
vineyards. Aged 19 months in 70% 1-year-old Francois Fréres and Demptos
French oak barrels. Pommard, Dijon 115, 667, 777 and 828.
·
Brooding, initially
sporting aromas of dark cherries, earth and peat, later becoming smoky and
tarry. Dark red cherry essence with toasted oak and spice in the background.
Nicely balanced and very Russian River Valley in character. Good.
2009 Tessier Trenton Station Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., pH 3.50, 182 cases, $35. Clone 37 (Mt. Eden). Aged in 35% new
French oak. Winemaker Kristie Tacey.
·
Some reduction upon opening, quickly
resolving to reveal aromas of red fruits, fading over time becoming muted and
nondescript. Red-fruit driven with flavors of cranberries, cherries and
raspberries with some earth and savory herbs in the background. Bright acidity
with a cherry-toned tangy finish. Light and elegant, offering more flavor interest
over time in the glass. A Burgundian-styled Pinot that grows on you. Good.
