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| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.3 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 17 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by brianofthevine on 4/7/2016 & rated 92 points: Just as good as before with wild berry, black cherry fruit, cola notes, and some subtle spice to it. Nice balance throughout, long finish. (1716 views) | | | Tasted by Barry Notes on 8/12/2015 & rated 91 points: Pw/1 hr decant. Clear, usual purple Pinot color. Great nose with some swirling. Excellent vintage, powerful, big body, fairly extracted but balanced and not too hot or jammy. Black/blue fruit, cola, black tea. Definitely CA. If you like a rich style, this is it. Long finish, nothing off. $59 (1556 views) | | | Tasted by SMZ on 6/23/2014 & rated 92 points: Bursting with flavor (2333 views) | | | Tasted by Meembo on 5/3/2014 & rated 88 points: Too ripe, big and unbalanced for my Pinot tastes. Heavy on the jammy blue/black fruits and licorice/anise flavors. Nose is a bit hot. (2006 views) | | | Tasted by Yamadori on 5/19/2013 & rated 92 points: Decanted 3 hours and rebottled. Nice nose of black cherry, herbs and earth. Quite full bodied for a pinot with nice dark cherry fruit with notes of forest floor, stems and crushed rocks. Well balanced with nice acidity. Medium plus finish with smooth tannins and just a little spice. This drinks well now with plenty of air but really could do with several years in the cellar. Really outstanding pinot that is worth seeking out (92+). (2431 views) | | | Tasted by brianofthevine on 5/7/2013 & rated 92 points: Red and black cherry. Caramel notes with subtle spice. Good finish. (522 views) | | | Tasted by Meembo on 4/30/2013 & rated 91 points: Pretty explosive nose of dark cherry pie, cedar, vanilla and stewed strawberries. The palate is equally equally big, with up-front flavors of black cherry and oak. This is definitely new world, but was exactly what I was looking for. (1179 views) | | | Tasted by SMZ on 3/6/2013 & rated 92 points: Delicious wine. Full of flavor. Georgeous color. Held up well the second night. (1248 views) | | | Tasted by rjonwine@gmail.com on 2/3/2013 & rated 91 points: Dark ruby color; tart cranberry, sous bois, tart green herb nose; tart cranberry, very tart raspberry, tart green herb, sous bois, mineral palate; needs 2 years; medium-plus finish (14.6% alcohol; pH 3.5; sample provided by winery) (657 views) | | | Tasted by rjrausch on 11/20/2012 & rated 92 points: Definitely needs to open up. Suggest at least 1 to 2 hours of decanting. Once open I get a nice red berry cream aroma. On the palate I pick up some strawberry tart and earthy notes. It was really good. Unfortunately the bottle went quick. The first try of the 2010 Black Kite round up so looking forward to comparing this to the others. (1143 views) | | | Tasted by rjonwine@gmail.com on 10/21/2012 & rated 90 points: 2012 Pinot on the River (Town Square, Healdsburg, California): Very dark cherry red color; sous bois, floral, tart cherry nose; tart cherry, cranberry palate; medium-plus finish 90+ points (1345 views) |
| By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, May/June 2013, IWC Issue #168
(Black Kite Cellars Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands) Subscribe to see review text. | By Gregory Walter
PinotReport, Issue #86 (4/15/2013)
(Black Kite Cellars Pinot Noir Soberanes Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands) Login and sign up and see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and PinotReport. (manage subscription channels) |
| Black Kite Producer website
Black Kite Cellars is an Anderson Valley, California winery dedicated to Pinot Noir. The 40 acre site is in proximity to the Navarro River in a section of Anderson Valley know as “Deep End”. The site was purchased in 1995 by Donald and Maureen Green and three generations of the Green family are involved in winery operations. In 1999 12 acres were planted to Pinot Noir. Vineyard management is handled by Paul Ardzronni who started in 2004. Wine making is handling by Jeff Gaffner who began duties with the 2005 vintage. The vineyard is divided into three blocks of 4 acres each. Redwood’s Edge planted with 114 and 115 clones, Stoney Terrace planted with Pommard. River Turn planted with Pommard. While Black Kite released their first wine in 2003, it was the 2005 vintage when Jeff Gaffner made the wines that brought the winery notoriety. Reviews were extremely favorable with most publications scoring the three releases in the low 90's. Pinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.Soberanes VineyardFrom Club Testarossa June 2013 tasting notes:
Soberanes Vineyard, Santa Lucia Highlands
Located right next door to the famed Garys' Vineyard, the Soberanes Vineyard is also owned by the longtime
collaboration of the Pisoni and Franscioni Families. With three generations of farming in the Salinas Valley,
they have a multi-generational commitment to sustainable agriculture to insure future generations can
continue the tradition.
The Santa Lucia Highlands sit along the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountain Range in Monterey County.
The Soberanes Vineyard is named after 16-year old Jose Maria Soberanes, who was part of the famed
Portola Expedition of 1769. It is one of five vineyards that are part of the Pisoni and Franscioni families:
Garys', Rosella's, Pisoni, Soberanes and Sierra Mar.
Great attention is given to the care of the vines in the Soberanes Vineyard - positioning the grapes, shoots
and leaves by hand to absorb the prominent flavor of this unique vineyard. The windy afternoons, warm
sun and cool influence of the Pacific Ocean, contribute to the perfect conditions for creating world class
Pinot Noirs, Chardonnays and Syrahs.
Exact position on weinlagen-info
USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Central Coasthttp://www.ccwinegrowers.org/links.html
http://www.discovercaliforniawines.com/regional-wine-organizations/
http://beveragetradenetwork.com/en/btn-academy/list-of-winegrowers-association-in-central-coast-california-274.htm
Central Coast AVA WikipediaSanta Lucia HighlandsAppellation: Wine Artisans of Santa Lucia Highlands | Winegeeks article
AVA Website
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