Hurried first-impressions of Peay

Flatiron, SF
Tasted Thursday, March 17, 2016 by RajivAyyangar with 238 views

Introduction

I was very rushed during this tasting, so take this as a first-impression, not a definitive judgment.

Overall impression of Peay Pinot Noir:

Medium minus ruby. Slightly reductive nose of red fruit, generally ripe - sometimes slightly overripe/candied, but none of them seemed underripe. Structurally they are light, low in alcohol for Sonoma Pinot and also not super acid-driven, so they remain balanced. There aren't overt signs of oak - just a hint of toast. Carbonic/whole cluster character is very slight - only on a few wines.

The Chardonnays are similarly light and acid-driven. They show more overt oak than the Pinots.

The Syrah is on the extreme low-end of ripeness - the fruit tends towards tart underripe blackberry and blueberry. The palate is snappy and acid-driven. The white pepper and green stemminess is interesting - even leaner and lighter than the Arnot-Robert QSS (which, while also on the less-ripe side of the scale, can't be said to be "light").

In the context of Sonoma, their fruit leans less ripe, alcohol leans lower, acidity is slightly higher (but not as intense as Matthiasson). Tannins seem about normal.

Flight 1 (8 Notes)

  • 2015 Cep Vineyards Rosé Russian River Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Fresh. Slight red fruit - strawberry.
    light bodied, m- alc, m acid, no bitterness or tannins.

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  • 2013 Peay Vineyards Chardonnay Estate

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Light all around. Slightly burnt wood. Maybe it was a bit too chilled. Restrained ripeness, not super aromatic.

    (note, very hurried impressions)

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  • 2006 Peay Vineyards Chardonnay Estate Flawed

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    This bottle seemed off. Oxidized perhaps? A bit nutty, some fishy seaweed aromas.

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  • 2013 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Classic Sonoma Pinot flavors. Balance-wise this is lighter than most. Red cherry, slightly reductive. Modestly ripe - not overripe/candied. Slight hint of freshly sanded wood, spice (small % new oak?). M body, medium alcohol, elevated acid, low tannins.

    (I had limited time during this tasting so these are quick initial impressions.)

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  • 2014 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Similar to the 2013 Pinot. A bit riper, with slightly more candied cherry (whole cluster / carbonic?). Seemed like the grapes were a bit riper here.

    (I had limited time during this tasting so these are quick initial impressions.)

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  • 2014 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Pomarium Estate

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Less fruit, more savory tones. Medium tannins! Structured.

    (I had limited time during this tasting so these are quick initial impressions.)

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  • 2013 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Scallop Shelf Estate

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Brighter red fruit - slightly more carbonic-seeming. Richer than the Sonoma Coasts.

    (I had limited time during this tasting so these are quick initial impressions.)

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  • 2013 Peay Vineyards Syrah Les Titans

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Cool blue fruit, underripe blackberry. Snappy white pepper. Medium tannins. Elevated acid! Medium bodied with moderate alcohol. Very cool, almost stemmy vegetal fruit condition.

    For me this is very cool for Syrah. As if you took the picture of Syrah, made it more transparent, then lit it under a blue light. The fruit condition seems strange and distorted. I'm not a fan of overripe Syrah, but this seems to be pushing the bottom end of the IPOB envelope.

    (I had limited time during this tasting so these are quick initial impressions.)

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