2007 Foursight Charles Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.,
406 cases, $46.
·
Slightly confected aromas of red cherries and raspberries with
a lovely accent of baking spices. Tasty redder fruit core with oak and brown
spice in the background. Medium-weighted with soft ripe tannins and a tangy
finish. A solid wine. POP 90, WS 88.
2007 Roessler Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., 273 cases, $46. Seven clones
from different parts of the vineyard.
·
Penetrating scents of dark fruits with a hint of oak acquiring intensity over
time in the glass. The plum and blackberry fruit flavors have a woodsy, mushroom bent. Still a bit tight with
some tannins to shed, but the fruit from this vineyard really sparkles and saturates the palate. POP 91, WS 94
2007 Chasseur Rayhill Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc.,
100 cases, $50. Unfined, unfiltered.
·
Sticking your nose in this beauty
reveals layers of constantly changing aromas including black fruits, spice
box, forest floor, earth, oak char, and floral accents. Big-boned but
smooth and velvety in the mouth featuring a mouth filling and lingering
rush of dark stone fruits and blackberries complimented by an earthy
undertone. The finish is long and lush. A hedonistic wine nicely composed and
balanced that aims to please. POP 94, WS 96.
2007 Landmark Kanzler Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.9% alc.,
$50.
·
Cherries and strawberries are featured on the nose with an echo of oak
and a nice hit of funkiness. The wine has pretty flavors of dark fruits with an
appealing elegant presentation. The tannins are supple and the balance is spot
on, resulting in a drinking experience that is easy going. POP 91, WS 94.
2007 Red Car Heaven & Earth La Bohéme Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $60.
·
On the nose there is initially plenty of earth and smoke
with scents of ripe strawberries and cherries and a slight green note emerging
over time in the glass. A seductive wine on the palate that doesn’t attack as
much as it seduces with discreetly concentrated plum fruit. An accent of cola and
tea adds interest. Nicely composed and balanced with a sensual satiny texture.
Lacks the aromatic appeal for a higher score. POP 92, WS 97.
2007 Foxen Sea Smoke Vineyard Sta. Rita Hills Pinot Noir
15.5% alc., 475
cases, $63.
·
Unfined, unfiltered. Darkly colored. Enticing perfume of crushed
sweet berries with an oak accent. A voluptuous wine of copious dark berry fruit
framed by firm tannins that demands your attention. Veers toward Syrah and
over time in the glass becomes jammy and bit tiring. This wine makes a
statement and will have fans of its Parkeresque style but its over the top for me.
POP 91, WS 94.
2007 Kosta Browne Kanzler Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.9% alc.,
753 cases, $72.
·
Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Penetrating and
intoxicating aromas of dark stone fruits with a hint of strawberries and spice. The
lush mouthful of black cherry and blackberry fruit is mouth coating but not jammy.
Smoothly textured with fine-grain tannins and well-integrated alcohol. A fruitdriven
wine from a special vineyard that is ready to drink now. POP 92, WS 95.
2007 Kosta Browne Koplen Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., 867 cases, $72.
·
Evolves beautifully in the glass revealing a complex nose of dark berry jam, rose petal, mocha, earth and
toasted oak. Fruit-powered with a hint of cola. Firm tannic backbone with a satiny texture. Improves in the
glass over time. Drink now. POP 91, WS 96
2006 Donum Estate Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.4% alc., $65.
·
Deep perfume of cherries and
berries with aggressive oak toast. Tasty cherry and raspberry flavors with a woody edge leading to an echo of
grapefruit peel on the bright finish. Smoothly textured with mild dry tannins. A little more oak than I like
keeping it from a higher score. The oak may integrate with further cellaring. POP 90, WS 95.
2006 Talley Vineyards Rosemary’s Vineyard Arroyo Grande Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., 556 cases, $70.
·
Terrific aromatics picking up intensity in the
glass and bursting with bright cherries and berries with a hint of oak toast. Darker
stone fruits and currants on the palate veer but stop short of the ripe side.
Polished and caressing in the mouth with pleasing mineral and oak notes in the
background. A very stylish wine that will improve further with cellaring. POP 92,
WS 94.
2006 Kistler Silver Bolt Vineyard Cuvée Natalie Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 1,000 cases, $90.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass.
Smoky, earthy and grassy on the nose. Discreetly rich dark berry fruits with a
citric note on the finish. The most striking feature of this wine is the velvety
mouth feel. The flavors trump the nose at this stage. POP 90, WS 88.
