Falltacular 2008

My personal interest in the 2008 Falltacular was to taste and evaluate California Pinot Noir from the 2006 vintage. Although there were some very strong wines -- namely the Alcina Sangiacomo, Loring Aubaine, and Loring Rosella's -- I found the vintage as a whole much weaker than both 2004 and 2005. Many of the flavor profiles did not seem as developed, and as a result, the wines tasted incomplete.

My favorite 2006 Pinot of the evening was the Loring Aubaine, a wine that distinguished itself for having a very long and rich finish, unlike the others. My favorite non-2006 Pinot of the evening was the 2004 Arcadian Pisoni. But my overall favorite WOTN was the 2005 Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah, a wine that in more ways than one eclipsed all the wines at the tasting -- a truly delicious wine.

Thanks for FMIII and the Dr. Mrs. for organizing and hosting one of the (if not THE) wine event of the year!

• 2001 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Refined and elegant with bright red fruits at its core. Drinking quite nicely now.

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• 2004 Arcadian Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  A little funky, surprisingly sweet, and reminiscent of plum jam. 86-87 points.

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• 2004 Arcadian Pinot Noir Pisoni Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Rich and plush with ripe wild berries, cola, and earth.

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• 2004 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  This wine has performed consistently well the last 4 times I have tried it. A savory palate of plums, dark cherries, toffee, and a hint of chocolate. 91-92 points.

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• 2005 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  I really enjoyed this wine. Bright red fruits with vivid acidity. Mouth-watering and delicious. 91-92 points.

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• 2005 Arcadian Pinot Noir Sleepy Hollow Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Bright cherry fruit with some white peppercorns on the finish. Comes across as very young.

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• 2007 Shane Syrah Ma Fille Rosé 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Crisp and refreshing with nice strawberry and citrus notes.

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• 2006 Alcina Cellars Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Very impressive for Sangiacomo. Rich yet balanced with wild berries, toffee, and minerals. Good acidity. 91-92 points.

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• 2006 Alcina Cellars Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Cherry and caramel notes with a touch of apple skin. Finish seems underdeveloped. 86-87 points.

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• 2006 Alcina Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Wild strawberries, earth, and mineral with a touch of toffee on the finish.

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• 2006 Alta Maria Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  A little funky with good strawberry fruit. Seemed a little incomplete, however.

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• 2006 August West Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Consistent with my previous note, this wine has good cherry fruit but tastes incomplete.

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• 2006 August West Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Not up the standards of previous vintages, but still nice. Notes of wild strawberries and baking spices. Finishes a bit thin.

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• 2006 Benovia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 86 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Bright strawberry fruit and minerals, but the finish seems a little underdeveloped.

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• 2006 Cargasacchi Pinot Noir Cargasacchi-Jalama Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Vivid raspberry fruit with a healthy dose of sous bois and clay. The finish is a bit peppery.

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• 2006 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Exotic notes of Asian pickled plums, black cherry, and hard spices.

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• 2006 Holdredge Pinot Noir Bucher 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  A nice balanced and very elegant. I would love to drink this with a meal. 89-90 points.

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• 2006 Holdredge Pinot Noir Mazie Rose 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Good strawberry fruit. Balanced with nice supporting acidity.

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• 2006 Holdredge Pinot Noir Wren Hop 86 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Chalky on the palate with notes of red fruits, tree bark, and black tea. 86-87 points.

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• 2006 Kutch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Fresh notes of wild strawberries, cherries, and cola. The finish seems a bit underdeveloped, however.

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• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Aubaine Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley

  Finally a 2006 Pinot with an impressive finish! Rich and mouth-filling with ripe dark cherry and plum fruit.

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• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Cargasacchi Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Rich and satisfying with bright cherries and wild berries at its core. Very nice!

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• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Fleshy and meaty with rich dark cherry flavors and a creamy texture.

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• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley

  This wine was better than the August West. Notes of strawberry jam and black tea. 88-89 points.

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• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley

  Strangely similar to the Graham's Family vineyard. Strawberry jam and black tea.

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• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Ripe and plush with deep cherry fruit and a long finish.

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• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Russell Family Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Ripe and meaty with some wild strawberries and hard spices.

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• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  Notes of wild strawberries and dusty earth. Not as rich as the other 2006 Lorings and with more tannin.

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• 2006 Loring Wine Company Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 86 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Muted cherry fruit, some earth, tree bark, and a tannic finish.

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• 2006 native9 Pinot Noir Rancho Ontiveros Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  Bright cherry and wild strawberry notes in a balanced and elegant wine. Very good acidity.

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• 2006 Siduri Pinot Noir Clos Pepe Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  The purity of the fruit really comes through on this wine. Balanced and a pleasure to drink. 90-91 points.

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• 2006 Siduri Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Floral character with cherry and citrus notes. Good acidity.

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• 2006 Siduri Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Muted cherry fruit with a seltzer water finish. Seems incomplete.

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• 2006 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Earthy with nice cherry and strawberry fruit. Touch of apple skin on the finish.

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• 2005 Saxum Bone Rock James Berry Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Surprisingly smooth on the palate with plum, violets, and earth notes. Creamy and rich yet balanced.

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• 2005 Switchback Ridge Merlot Peterson Family Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Hard to have just one taste of this wine. Notes of cherries flambé, smoke, wet soil, and melted chocolate. Delicious!

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• 2005 Switchback Ridge Petite Sirah Peterson Family Vineyard 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Serving this wine at a Pinot tasting is like bringing a gun to a knife fight. Rich and unctuous with loads of plums, dark chocolate, espresso beans, and caramel syrup. A show-stopper, and a personal revelation for me. 93-94 points.

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• 2006 Alcina Cellars Syrah Connell Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Meaty and dense yet quite polished and smooth. A rich palate of beef blood, grilled plums, and dark chocolate.

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• 2006 Jemrose Syrah Cardiac Hill Bennett Valley 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Has some cool-climate character with a pepper-inflected palate of plums and currants.

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• 2006 Shane Syrah Jemrose Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Has the character of a cool-climate Syrah with notes of plum skin, peppercorns, and hard spices. 87-88 points.

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• 2006 Shane Syrah The Unknown 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  Dense and unctuous with notes of blueberry jam and pepper.

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