Cali Pinot, Great Wine, Poor Notes

This past Wed we gathered at Walker's in NYC to enjoy California pinot. There were a number of tasty bottles on the table, but my notes are pretty poor. Lots of talking and enjoying one another's company. Interesting because it rarely happens, at this dinner, women outnumbered the men 4 to 3. It was a lot of fun.

I've put together a skeleton of the wines we had and hope the others will add to my sparse notes.

• 1996 de Venoge Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut

  France, Champagne

  This was nice. We discussed whether this had enough effervescence and many thought it came up a bit short. Then, we put it back in the chiller and had some toward the end of the evening and it was much more bubbly.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2005 Scholium Project Naucratis Lost Slough Vineyards

  USA, California, Central Valley, Clarksburg

  This had "sea horses" floating in the bottle according to one of my dinner companions. I haven't seen that before and I believe someone noted it had to do with the barrel being forgotten out in cold. Words used to describe this were "interesting, unique, esoteric". I don't recall anyone saying they loved it.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2003 DuMOL Pinot Noir Ryan

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  The table was split on whether this was corked. I didn't think so and liked it.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2004 Thin Air Pinot Noir

  USA, California

  Abe shows up again. This was a great learning for those of us who are spending more on pinot these days. This bottle was the least expensive on the table at approx. $25 and won WOTN. My recommendation for this wine was that it should be better enjoyed not in a flight with the others because it wouldn't be as big, that wasn't true. This was pretty darn big and fruity as well. Really tasty.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2003 Brewer-Clifton Pinot Noir Rancho Santa Rosa

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  No notes other than "really nice". Anyone?

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2005 Jonata Winery La Cancion

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley

  I'm going to cheat now and share with you the winemaker's note that the winery emailed me earlier in the day. I had a lovely exchange with the winery that day about the wine and decanting time. (Her recommendation was to open in it and let it sit in the bottle for 30 minutes. If I really wanted to decant it, she recommended a vigorous decant and then pour it immediately into the glass.) Here is Matt Dee's note: "Brooding nose of blackberry and black cherry highlighted with lifted hints of spice and orange zest. Rich and ripe on the palate with sweet fruit and smoky nuances. Seems to pick up momentum with increasing levels of fruit and spice unfolding in the mouth. Soft tannins combine with balanced acidity to create a lasting finish reminiscent of ripe red cherry." I concur with the hints of spice and smoky nuances. There is lots of fruit here, but I didn't find sweet fruit necessarily and that is my preference.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2004 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Botella

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  This was our runner up WOTN. Lots of sweet cheeries here. This is Sea Smoke's entry level offer and it is tasty. Can others add?

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2005 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2004 Scholium Project Lydian Queen Oro Puro

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Our third Abe contribution to the table. This was a really nice sticky. Dark, burnt gold color. I got honey and a little whiff of petrol. There was some orange as well. Really nice.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

We also had the 2002 Purgatory,from the Anderson Valley. Its not in CellarTracker, so I'm adding it here.

This was a fun evening. I took the Jonata and Oro Puro home and, this morning, they are taste consistent to Wed night. One note. Our bill at Walker's was $47 per person, which is higher than our first two times at $35 and $40 a head. I believe $47 bucks is a bit expensive for what Walker's is. I'm hoping that I drunkenly miscalculated the bill. I'd like to keep going back there, but at this price point, other places in the city start to become more attractive given that Walker's is a pretty simple place. I'll go back once more to see how it goes. Good to see everyone.