Dinner in Sonoma
at Estate
Tasted Sunday, March 4, 2012 by Loren Sonkin with 494 views
Introduction
Earlier this week I was out in Napa/Sonoma to bottle our 2010 Persona. I was able to get together with a group of BBers for some wines at Estate in Sonoma. The food was outstanding as was the service. Since it was a Thursday night, corkage was free! The loose theme was Chards and Pinots although we snuck in a 2009 Persona Syrah and Eric put in one of his Cabs as well. It was great to see old friends and meet some new ones as well. As for the wines:
2010 Evening Land Vineyards Pouilly-Fuissé 87 Points
France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Fuissé
I wanted to try this winery and saw this sitting on a shelf in Cleveland. I thought it was Oregon or Cal and didn't pay attention until I got home and saw it was a Pouilly Fuisse. That's ok. I brought and we popped and poured. The nose is somewhat bitter. Mineral driven. The palate is tart and has some grapefruit. Its somewhat mono-dimensional. Sure its young, but I don't see it improving much (and I no longer hold white Burgs).
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2010 Daniel & Julien Barraud Pouilly-Fuissé En Buland Vieilles Vignes 89 Points
France, Burgundy, Mâconnais, Pouilly-Fuissé
Nicer than the evening land. This has a nose with some interesting dried pineapple. Also some lemons. It is smooth and the palate with a nice creaminess. despite its youth, there is a mineral layer which gives it some complexity. Nice finish. This is a very solid bottle of wine that worked well with food.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2008 Inman Family Chardonnay 87 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
There are very few Cal chards that get me excited and this was not one. Its ok and its not bad, its more stylistic for me. There is not a lot of crisp fruit. There is a nice minerality. Slightly fat, slightly oaked. Nothing bad here, and certainly better than most Cal Chards, but left me wanting something. Others seemed to like it more.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2010 Jacob Terrell Pinot Noir Devil's Gulch 90 Points
USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Marin County
Jacob made this and this is not a commercially available wine. Pale ruby in color. The nose is very feminine. Cherries and very clean. On the palate, its a bit mono-dimensional but its very young. There is a slight stemmy note, although no stems were included, that was distracting to some, but did not bother me. I really enjoyed this wine. Its young and I think will put on some weight and some earthiness. I think those who like the more feminine side of Pinot will enjoy this especially with food. Very well done! I would like to revisit this in a few years (hint, hint).
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Favia Pinot Noir La Josefina 89 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
This is a big RRV pinot. The nose has some funk to it and lots of cherry cola. Its still young with lots of dark fruit on the palate. Mostly dark cherries. Some anise comes out with air. I think some liked it more than I, although I found it very good but would prefer a bit more restraint. It overpowered my pizza and worked better alone.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2003 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Trenton Estate 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
I liked this more than the crowd. The nose is cherries, dried cherries and a slight minty note. Its feminine and showing some age (far older than the 04). It has a nice acidity that works with food. Complex. It seemed to grow younger and more vibrant with some air.
Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Report Issue
2004 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Trenton Estate 91 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
I liked this. There was some VA on the nose which was an issue for some. A bit doesn't bother me and lifts the aromatics which showed cherries and powdered cherry drink mix. On the palate, it turns more tart with cherries that really were juicy. Worked very well with food. Showed much younger than the 03.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2006 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard 93 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Probably the consensus WOTN although no formal vote was taken. It had a lot of things that people didn't like in other wines such as a feminine stemmy quality, but had such sweet pure cherry fruit that it all came together for lots of different stylistic preferences. I loved the feminine aspect to this wine and it has stated to unwind its layering showing a very interesting complexity. Just delicious. young but with lots of time until to peak. Got better all night long.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2007 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Seemed to be in an awkward place and I had it scored lower for most of the night. Perhaps if I tried it again in an hour it would have been even better. The nose has tart cherries and what we all agreed on was a green bean note. It was distracting. Much better on the palate though with a juicy texture and lots of black cherries. Some firm tannins as well. Probably shouldn't be opening these now or else slow-ox them for a long time. The green bean note faded with air but did not go away.
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue
2009 Keating Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard 90 Points
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Eric brought this wine of his which I think was just released. I like this cab and its fairly priced. It is from Sonoma. The nose is restrained and has pretty cassis and some bell pepper notes. The nose carries thru to the palate. I know some don't like any bell pepper in their Cabs, but if its part and parcel with the fruit, I enjoy it. This has enough fruit to pull it off. While my palate was tired at this point, there is enough going on here to get my attention. Nice wine!
Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue