ACACIA 2007 PINOT NOIR
CARNEROS 750ml Winemaker's notes - The myriad of dark fruit and floral notes in this Pinot Noir come from the cool, windy Los Carneros American Viticultural Area (AVA) in the southern reaches of Napa Valley. Satsuma plum, blackberry, red rose and violet notes weave through the enticing aromas, mingled with warm nuances of vanilla and toasted oak from barrel aging. Silky, elegant flavors echo the aromas, adding blueberry and plum to the rich fruit complexity. You’ll find this wine’s lush flavors, bright acidity and fine tannins are perfectly balanced to complement a broad range of foods, from grilled salmon and chicken, to lamb and wild mushrooms.
ADELAIDA 2007 PINOT NOIR
"HMR ESTATE" WESTSIDE PASO ROBLES 750ml
The historic HMR Vineyard is located in the hills west of Paso Robles at an elevation of 1,700 feet. Planted in 1964, it is the oldest pinot vineyard throughout the entire South Central Coast of California, encompassing San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Just 14 miles from the Pacific Ocean, its unique microclimate benefits from cooling marine breezes. The Burgundian-like, fractured calcareous soils give the wine a complex element of terroir-focused flavors.
HMR wines have received much acclaim for over three decades. The "Maestro," Ardre Tchelistcheff loved the wines from HMR, particularly the Pinot Noir. Since 1994, Adelaida Cellars has owned this prized vineyard, one that truly has earned its place in the annals of California wines.
Winemaker's notes-
Our signature red wine and best-known label. The wine is produced with grapes grown entirely in Oregon's north Willamette Valley, with a view to current drinkability and medium-term cellaring. Red fruit and dark cherry characters in the nose and on the palate. The wine has medium body, long finish and soft tannins.
ALCHEMIST CELLARS 2008 PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY 750mL
This is 100% Pinot Noir from the esteemed La Colina Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. It was fermented for 18 days with 20% whoel clusters, and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels, of which 25% were new. This transforms the fruit into a wine rich with scents of black cherry, plum, and cedar. Complex and balanced, this is a beautifully tailored wine, with a lovely finish.
ALEXANA 2007 PINOT NOIR
"REVANA VINEYARD" DUNDEE HILLS 750ml
If you thought Revana was just a Napa Valley property, you were flat wrong! Less than a decade after he established his successful Napa Valley venture, Dr. Madaiah Revana set his sights on Oregon’s Willamette Valley. He fell in love with Pinot Noir and wanted to make Pinot Noir that would rival those from Burgundy. His search lead him to winemaker Lynn Penner-Ash, one of the most talented winemakers in Oregon, and a person Wine Spectator believes has "...the perfect blend of science, artistry and passion."
ROBERT PARKER'S "THE WINE ADVOCATE" 92 POINTS
"The cherry red 2007 Pinot Noir Revana Vineyard offers up an exceptionally alluring perfume of cinnamon,, clove, smoke, cherry, and raspberry. On the palate this elegant effort is seamless with well-integrated oak and tannin. Round (a rarity in this edgy vintage), ripe, flavorful, and impeccably balanced, this stylish Pinot Noir will provide pleasure over the next 8-10 years."
AMBULLNEO 2004 PINOT NOIR
"MASTIFF CUVEE" CARNEROS (1.5L - MAGNUM)
Greg Linn and Scott Ames have quickly made names for themselves by crafting phenomenal Burgundian varietals from some of California’s best vineyards. Their "Big Paw" Chardonnay was one of our "Top Wines of the Year" but now it’s their Mastiff Cuvee that is in the limelight. A blend of Pinot from two of the best vineyards Carneros has to offer; Hyde Vineyard (65%) and Hudson Vineyard (35%), this is a synthesis of Burgundy meets California. Its deep, dark garnet color and aromas of blackberry, cherry, underbrush, and cedar lead into stunning flavors of blackberry, raspberry, anise, glycerin, and a touch of sweet oak. Medium to full bodied, with lovely placed acidity and gorgeous purity, this drinks well now, yet will cellar for many years. It isn’t often you see us raving of a Pinot in this price point, but this is a wine whose quality is worthy it!
ROBERT PARKER 91 POINTS
"The dark plum/ruby-hued 2004 Pinot Noir Mastiff Cuvee is a blend of Hyde Vineyard (65%) and Hudson Vineyard (35%) fruit. It reveals the most oak of these cuvees along with gamy plum and sweet cherry fruit, underbrush and forest floor characteristics, good purity, medium to full body, and a lightly tannic finish. It will benefit from another 1-2 years of bottle age, and should drink well for 7-8 years."
ANCIEN 2006 PINOT NOIR
"TOYON VINEYARD" CARNEROS 375ml
The vineyard, located in the Napa side of the appellation, sits on a cool, southern facing knol. It was planted in 1998 to two clones: Dijon 115 and the Swan selection. The Swan selection possesses deep, juicy black cherry, blackberry, and dark chocolate flavors with great structure. The 115 clone overlays pretty aromatics of spice, violets, and cola and bright fruit. The union of the two produces a densely flavored wine of exceptional complexity for near term enjoyment or medium term aging.
ANCIEN 2007 PINOT NOIR
"TOYON FARMS VINEYARD" CARNEROS 750ml
The vineyard, located in the Napa side of the appellation, sits on a cool, southern facing knol. It was planted in 1998 to two clones: Dijon 115 and the Swan selection. The Swan selection possesses deep, juicy black cherry, blackberry, and dark chocolate flavors with great structure. The 115 clone overlays pretty aromatics of spice, violets, and cola and bright fruit. The union of the two produces a densely flavored wine of exceptional complexity for near term enjoyment or medium term aging.
ANTHILL FARMS 2008 PINOT NOIR
"TINA MARIE VINEYARDS" RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 750ml
This site lies in the heart of the Green Valley appellation. Like many vineyards it was converted from an apple orchard a decade ago. Old timers have long known about the intense, fresh flavors in the crops that come from the area’s rolling hills. Owner and manager Ron Black had the foresight to plant his hillside very densely, in order to create more vine competition and lower yields that accentuate the combination of lushness and poise inherent to this site. The vineyard yielded two tons and one-half tons per acre.
The nose is rich in exotic cherry liqueur, hot soil, green tea, and rose petal. The wine’s texture is lush and deep but very well-delineated by balanced acids. While very charming now and perhaps the most accessible wine early on, the near-heroic length and firm tannins will allow for years of aging.
ANTHILL FARMS 2008 PINOT NOIR
"PETERS VINEYARD" SONOMA COAST 750ml
Randy Peters and his father-in-law, Tom Mukaida, farm this vineyard outside of Sebastopol in western Sonoma County. The southern slopes of these hills form the northern edge of the Petaluma Gap, which rushes cool, marine air from the Pacific Ocean inland. The vines, a mix of Pommard and 777 planted sixteen years ago, produce grapes that ripen unusually slowly due to the vineyard's often-present morning fogs. This year the vineyard yielded two tons per acre.
The nose is full of high-toned red cherry and cinnamon with subtle hints of mushroom. The flavors are lifted and floral leading to a persistent, spicy finish. The year-in, year-out lushness of Peters is, as always, balanced by its bright acids. This focused and red-fruited wine has both the bones and stuffing for aging.
ANTICA TERRA 2008 PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY 750ml
Antica Terra was founded in 1989 in the Amity Hills region of the Willamette Valley. The original 28 acre vineyard consists of a variety of Pinot Noir clones which were densely planted in 1990. The vineyard was expanded in 1999, 2007 and 2008.
A new winery building is scheduled for 2008 - 2009. The wines are now made by Maggie Harrison, formerly the assistant winemaker at Sine Qua Non for 8 years. She gained considerable experience there with making big-style wines, and also with Oregon Pinot Noir as they produced a Shea Vineyard designate until 2003.
This is 100% Pinot Noir, with a small percentage whole cluster fermented. The fermentation took place in small, open top fermenters with manual punchdowns. Malolactic fermentation occurred naturally in barrel, and the wine was never racked until going into the tank for bottling. Unfined and unfiltered, it is a blend of fruit from Antica Terra Vineyard, Shea Vineyard, and 21% Cherry Grove Vineyard. Very limited production.
APHORIST 2006 PINOT NOIR
"BARTOLOMEI VINEYARD" SONOMA COAST 750ml
Made by the team at Red Car.
Layers of black currants and cherry compote burst off the tongue. Cinnamon and clove lend intriguing depth while notes of freshly cut roses lift the nose. Balanced and true to its Sonoma Coast upbringing. Only 277 case produced.
ARCHERY SUMMIT 2007 PINOT NOIR
"PREMIER CUVEE" WILLAMETTE VALLEY 750ml
With only five vineyards and just over 115 acres to farm, winemaker Anna Matzinger takes a personal, "hands-on" approach to Archery Summit’s wines that one might call intimate. So much, in fact, that Wine Spectator has stated that Archery Summit makes "Oregon Pinot Noir that rivals Burgundy in quality!" Any great winemaker will tell you that great wine starts with great grapes (a lot of greatness there), so to be as "hands off" as possible, they are Oregon’s first 100% gravity-flow winery in order
to minimize damage and contamination of fruit or juice. The Premier Cuvée bottling is made from their oldest plantings of Pommard and Dijon clones on volcanic soils, which intensify the flavors! Scarlet red in color, this opens with lifted aromas of black cherries, rose petal, vanilla and a hint of savory spice. Pomegranate, currant and floral notes mingle on the palate with mulling spices, anise, plum, earth and minerals. Succulent and focused, this wine is ready for enjoyment now but will continue to improve over the next 5-8 years!
ARGYLE 2006 PINOT NOIR "SPIRITHOUSE"
Argyle’s "Spirit House" Pinot Noir is a superb production that references a supposed haunting that occurred in the early 1900s on the Argyle estate. Read the full story at www.argyle.com! This wine is a haunting affair in its own right as the lush Pinot Noir fruit at your disposal is unforgettable! "Spirithouse" leads off with a beckoning nose of spice and black cherry followed by a lush, sexy palate of mixed red and black raspberry fruit. Creamy smooth, layered and refined, there’s nary a feather out of place! The wine evolves extremely well in the glass with a secondary wave of minerals, sweet earth, cedar and crème de cassis for both nose and palate. Yummy stuff, for sure! Parker liked it as well awarding this beauty 94 points!
ARGYLE 2007 PINOT NOIR RESERVE
The key words for this wine are balance and grace! Dark black cherry fruit dominates both nose and palate along with subtle hints of violets and sundry floral. Yet this superb production retains a remarkable sense of balance. The wine’s mouthfeel is seductive and creamy textured with red fruits galore to supplement the wine’s black fruit identity. Tasteful hints of mixed truffles, exotic spice, sweet earth, sous bois, sandalwood and tea course throughout this bright fruit delight lending inordinate complexity to the wine’s classic Oregon fruit! A true yummer!
ARGYLE 2008 PINOT NOIR
WILLAMETTE VALLEY 750ml
Looking for a rewarding Pinot Noir experience that doesn’t break the bank? Look no further! This bargain-priced Pinot leads off with a scintillating nose of cherry and red raspberry reiterated to the palate in conjunction with hints of dark plum and spice. One could truly use the "B-Word" in conjunction with this wine as its palate profile bears no small resemblance to a well-done Cote de Beaune wine from, let’s say, Savigny or Chorey. Considering that many winemakers call their wines "Burgundian" without having the slightest idea what that really means, it’s a true compliment to winemaker Rollin Soles to have produced a wine so genuinely reminiscent of an Old World classic! Great bang-for-the-buck here!
ROBERT PARKER 90 POINTS
"The 2007 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley is medium ruby-colored with an enticing bouquet of toast, cinnamon, rose petal, cherry, and cranberry. Sweet and seamless on the palate, this elegant effort has a bit of structure, excellent concentration, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. Drink it over the next 6 years."
ARISTA 2005 PINOT NOIR
"LONGBOW" RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 750mL
This prestigious winery is located across the street from Williams & Selyem, and virtually next door to Rochioli!
The wine opens with the scent of ripe cherry and plum. As the wine continues to open, the nose hints of a subtle, earthy quality, almost like sage or cedar. On the palate, rich flavors of cherry and ripe plum combine with gentle, smoky oak characteristics similar to cigar box. Also note the delicate balance between full flavor development and acid structure. This wine will continue to gain depth and nuance as it evolves over the next 5-7 years.
AUGUST BRIGGS 2007 PINOT NOIR
RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY 750ml
The Russian River Valley is quickly becoming known as one of the premier locations for Pinot Noir on Earth, and for good reason; the wines from this appellation consistently show the bright, fruity exuberance of California wine, while displaying some of the haunting nuances of Burgundy. The fruit comes from the Hedin Vineyard which is located on the famed Westside Road heading out to the coast.
This is Joe Briggs' most "Burgundian" bottling of Pinot Noir for 2007, with aromas of violets, cherry, bramble berry, and earth. It has dense fruit flavors of black cherry and raspberry, with a moderate spice quality. It finishes long, rich, and warm, and its structure makes it age-worthy.
BADGE 2006
PINOT NOIR
SANTA RITA HILLS 750ml
Made by Bruno d'Alfonso (ex-Sanford winemaker).
Sourced from La Encantada (Richard Sanford's new vineyard) and Gaia (formerly Ashley's).
Aromas of black cherry, anise and spice are supple and delicate on the palate, with a touch of cola and firm, earthy tannins. Drink now through 2010.
BELLE GLOS 2008 PINOT NOIR
"CLARK & TELEPHONE" SANTA MARIA VALLEY 750mL
Clark & Telephone Vineyard, located near the corner of Clark Avenue and Telephone Road in the Santa Maria Valley, is cooled by wind and fog that snakes in from the Pacific Ocean along a channel of the Santa Maria River. Established in 1972, the Clark & Telephone Vineyard was planted “own root” to the Martini clone. This heirloom clone of Pinot Noir, one of the first to grace the California coastlands, has become something of a lost treasure.
In the winery, the clusters were de-stemmed and the must underwent a cold soak. Fermentation began with the inoculation of yeast strains matched to each lot of grapes. The maceration process during fermentation consisted of a combination of punch-down and pump-over techniques, each day the techniques would be reassessed to ensure that we were riding the line between over extraction and under extraction. The wine was aged in French oak (60% percent new) for nine months and was racked once upon completion of malolactic fermentation and again upon blending.
WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS
"Firm and well-structured, with a ripe, rich, concentrated mix of wild berry, blueberry and strawberry flavors, with scents of wild flowers. Full-bodied, complex and layered on the finish. Drink now through 2017."
Over the past twenty years Bethel Heights has been known for limited bottlings of distinctive vineyard designated and block designated Pinot Noirs. Starting in 2002, they produced their first Casteel Reserve Pinot Noir, blending select barrels from several different vineyard sites. It turned out to be a very exciting wine. The 2006 selection includes fruit from both Bethel Heights Estate Vineyard (Wädenswil Block (48%), Clone 114 (17%) and Clone 777 (10%) and Seven Springs Vineyard (25%).
The aromatic profile is dominated by currant, black cherry, and oak spice. The palate is concentrated, featuring dense black and red fruits fruit and a subtle earthiness, framed by vibrant acids that not only provide the wine with length, but also provide the necessary structure for aging. Fine grain tannins round out this wine.
Over the past twenty years Bethel Heights has been known for limited bottlings of distinctive vineyard designated and block designated Pinot Noirs. Starting in 2002, they produced their first Casteel Reserve Pinot Noir, blending select barrels from several different vineyard sites. It turned out to be a very exciting wine.
The aromatic profile is dominated by currant, black cherry, and oak spice. The palate is concentrated, featuring dense black and red fruits fruit and a subtle earthiness, framed by vibrant acids that not only provide the wine with length, but also provide the necessary structure for aging. Fine grain tannins round out this wine.
ROBERT PARKER 93 POINTS
"The 2006 Pinot Noir Casteel Reserve is medium ruby-colored with an alluring perfume of wood smoke, damp earth, black cherry, and black raspberry. This is followed by a wine with excellent focus, density, and intense, savory dark fruits, It is well balanced, nicely structured, and has a long, fruit-filled close. Give it 2-3 years of additional bottle age and drink it from 2010 to 2018."
