Ed Kurtzman Comes to OC

New style tuna sashimi, seared scallop with peach, miso glazed black cod.

• 1997 Chalone Vineyard Chardonnay 88 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Chalone

  Musty and mature aromas of caramel, butter, sweet cream, and sea spray. Oily on the palate with soft acidity and a sweet caramel finish. Enjoyable, but I'm not sure it will improve with further aging.

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• 2004 Freeman Chardonnay Ryo-fu 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Lush yet elegant aromas of orange blossoms, honeysuckles, mangoes, nectarines, and sea shells. Balanced and supple on the palate with nice acidity. A terrific Chardonnay and my WOTF. 91-92 points.

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• 2004 Fort Ross Chardonnay Reserve Fort Ross Vineyard 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Muted aromas of pineapples and crushed minerals. Straightforward on the palate with a touch on heat on the finish.

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• 2005 August West Chardonnay Rosella's Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Rich aromas of hazelnuts, nectarines, unripe pineapples, crushed shells, and ocean spray. Delicate and refined on the palate with a tangy acidity and a nice burst of fruit at the finish.

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Chicken paillard, pan seared and topped with arugula salad.

• 2005 Melville Pinot Noir Estate Clone 777 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  This wine was quite different from the first time I tasted it. Herbal aromas of shiso leaf, black cherries, sarsaparilla root, and raw jalapenos. Juicy and structured on the palate.

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• 2006 Siduri Pinot Noir Parsons' Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  I am generally not a fan of 2006 for Pinot Noir and this wine seems pretty typical of the vintage. Underdeveloped notes of plums, clove, pink peppercorns, and diet cola. Finishes with a touch of aspartame.

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• 2003 Pisoni Pinot Noir Estate 93 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Pure and intense notes of black cherries, black raspberries, raspberry puree, and cola. Rich and silky on the palate with a nice kick of acidity on the finish. WOTF and tied for WOTN. 93-94 points.

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• 2005 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir Flawed

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Having had this wine (at least) twice before, I can only conclude that this bottle was flawed. Not only was the nose muted and herbal but the palate was austere and confected.

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• 2005 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Sweet aromas of black raspberries, black cherries, and cocoa powder. Rich and syrupy on the palate with notes of wild berries and cola. 89-90 points.

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Steamed salmon in sake ginger soy broth with ginger, scallions, chilies and sugar snap peas.

• 2007 August West Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  This wine showed better than the last time I tasted it (at Falltacular). Rich and densely layered notes of black raspberries, black cherries, cola, wet soil, and crushed minerals. Creamy and decadent on the palate. An outstanding wine and WOTF.

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• 2007 August West Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard 90 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Interestingly, this wine did not show as well as it did at Falltacular. Bright notes of framboise, bing cherries, red beets, and loamy earth. More structured across the palate finishing with a note of sour cherries. Still a winner. 90-91 points.

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• 2007 Freeman Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 84 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Brett-infused aromas of cherries, green peppercorns, loamy earth, and citrus. Muted palate with a zesty acidity.

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• 2007 Roar Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Rich and complex notes of black cherries, licorice, cola, cocoa powder, and wet soil. Luxuriant and polished on the palate. I was a little rushed in tasting this wine, but the quick taste I did have made an impression. I suspect it has the potential to score even higher.

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Pan seared duck, vanilla apricot bourbon glaze, roasted potatoes and green beans.

• 1999 Testarossa Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley

  Mature notes of clove, pine sap, sour cherries, red plums, and green peppercorns. Sappy on the palate with a lip-smacking acidity. 89-90 points.

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• 2003 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Fort Ross Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  This wine was remarkable for the purity of fruit and a stunning mouthfeel. Polished and seamless notes of black raspberries, black cherries, plum, wet soil, and minerals that just glide effortlessly across the palate. 92-93 points.

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• 2004 Freeman Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Earthy and complex with refined notes of black cherries, framboise, red beets, clay, and wood smoke. Like the Fort Ross, this wine was polished and seamless and very appealing. WOTF and tied for WOTN. 93-94 points.

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• 2004 August West Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Opulent notes of cherries flambé, black plums, sarsaparilla root, and wood smoke. Polished and seamless on the palate with an impressively long finish.

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Lamb chops, coconut curry sauce, hearts of palm, black rice risotto and baby carrrots.

• 2005 Sandler Wine Company Syrah Connell Vineyard 85 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Bennett Valley

  Heavy notes of black pepper and charcoal over bacon fat and black plums. Extremely tight and tannic.

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• 2005 August West Syrah Rosella's Vineyard 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Earthy notes of black pepper, charcoal, and black olive over a dense core of blackberries and plum.

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• 2004 Fort Ross Pinotage Fort Ross Vineyard 82 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  A very unusual wine. Nose of black cherries and rice wine vinegar. Reminds me a little of gyoza dipping sauce. This could be the best example of this type of wine, but I'm afraid it just did not do it for me.

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• 2003 Roar Syrah Rosella's Vineyard 86 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Unappealing aromas of mashed peas and canned asparagus. The palate, however, displays dense notes blackberries, soy, and mocha.

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Flourless chocolate tort with a raspberry sauce.