Important Update From the Founder
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Family Winemakers of California
Pasadena, CA
Tasted March 18, 2008 by Paul Lin with 1,668 views
Flight 1 - Pinot Noir (55 notes)
Generally speaking, I feel that the 2006 vintage is a significant step down from the glorious 2005. While some of the wines did show well, many -- especially those from Sonoma County -- tended to display some underdeveloped flavors. From a collector's prospective, I will be making more of an effort to taste as many 2006 Pinots as I can in advance of buying them. Or better yet, I might just wait for the 2007s to come out, which should be a fantastic vintage. My favorite 2005 Pinot at the tasting: the 2005 Clos Pepe Estate. My favorite 2006? The 2006 J. Wilkes Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Hillside Estate.
Red
2006 Anglim Pinot Noir Fiddlestix Vineyard
88 points
Pommard clone and Dijon clones 115 and 113. Concentrated notes of dark cherry, black raspberry, and earth. A meaty wine.
Red
2006 Ancien Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
90 points
Dijon clone 115. A harmonious integration of strawberries, earth, crushed minerals, and spice. Elegant and well-made.
Red
2006 Ancien Pinot Noir Toyon Vineyard
89 points
Swan clone and Dijon clone 115. Tighter than the RRV Pinot. Muted notes of Bing cherries, earth, and leather. And elegant wine with very good acidity.
Red
2005 Cima Collina Pinot Noir Tondré Grapefield
90 points
Pommard clone and Dijon clones 115 and 667. Rustic notes of wild strawberries, rhubarb, and cloves. Nice acidity. 90-91 points.
Red
2005 Cima Collina Pinot Noir Chula Viña
86 points
Muted aromas and little disjointed on the palate. Notes of strawberries, pomegranate, and raw beef.
Red
2005 Cima Collina Pinot Noir Hilltop Ranch
88 points
Incredibly dense and concentrated. Syrah-like in appearance. Chewy notes of plums, blackberries, dark chocolate, and wet soil. Not for the traditionalist or the timid.
Red
2005 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir
92 points
A very pretty Pinot. Delicate notes strawberries, raspberries, rose petals, red clay, and crushed minerals. Good acidity. Not as flashy as the 2006, but I actually preferred this one by a decent margin. 91-92
Red
2006 Clos Pepe Estate Pinot Noir
89 points
A lot of stuff going on in this young wine. Opulent notes of black raspberries, dark cherries, wet soil, and smoke. Needs time. 89-90 points.
Red
2006 Calera Pinot Noir Mount Harlan Cuvée
83 points
It's a shame to drink this style of wine at such an early stage. Muted aromas with lots of green floral notes. Thin and watery.
Red
2005 Calera Pinot Noir Ryan Vineyard
85 points
100% stem inclusion and it's obvious. Stemmy and tannic with notes of rose water, black tea, white rocks, and ocean spray. Right now: 85-86 points.
Red
2005 Calera Pinot Noir 30th Anniversary Mills Vineyard
86 points
100% stem inclusion and it's obvious. Stemmy and tannic, with notes of raspberries, rose water, and crushed minerals. Right now: 86-87 points.
Red
2004 Derbès Les Pinots
83 points
50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pinot Meunier. Rustic notes cooked cherries, strawberry jam, and wet soil. Tasted like it might have been heat damaged, but the person pouring it said it was fine.
Red
2005 Dierberg Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley
87 points
Pungent notes black cherry, blackberries, hard spices, a little bit of shoe polish. Kind of a brooding Pinot.
Red
2006 Dovetail Vineyards Pinot Noir
86 points
Complex and funky. Notes of strawberries, rhubarb, caramel, and cocoa powder. 86-87 points.
Red
2006 Dovetail Vineyards Pinot Noir Indindoli Vineyard
87 points
Dijon Clones 667 and 115. Notes of strawberry jam, cola, and toffee. A little soft in the finish and could use a touch more acidity. A showy wine nonetheless. 87-88 points.
Red
2006 Dovetail Vineyards Pinot Noir Windsor Oaks Vineyard
84 points
Dijon clone 115. The bricking coloring belies its youth. Simple notes of wild strawberries, raspberries, and forest floor. Seemed a little oxidated to me.
Red
2005 DuNah Pinot Noir DuNah Vineyard
85 points
Kind of one-dimensional, but inoffensive and easy to drink nonetheless. Candied notes of strawberries and red licorice.
Red
2006 Dutton-Goldfield Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch
89 points
A really nice surprise. Hedonistic notes of sweet black cherry, black raspberry, and mocha-laced oak. Long finish with a touch of citrus. 89-90 points.
Red
2006 Elke Pinot Noir Mary Elke
86 points
Simple, but easy to like. Notes of sour cherries, earth, and mineral. The finish is rather short.
Red
2005 Elke Pinot Noir Blue Diamond Donnelly Creek Vineyard
88 points
Like the 2005, but with more acidity and more textural elegance -- a function of both the vintage and bottle age perhaps. Notes of sour cherries, red clay, and wet soil.
Red
2006 Elke Pinot Noir Blue Diamond Donnelly Creek Vineyard
87 points
Notes of sour cherries, red clay, and wet soil. Similar to the appellation blend, but with a denser mouthfeel.
Red
2004 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Reserve Fort Ross Vineyard
88 points
A rich mouthful of dark cherries, currants, earth and vanilla. Creamy texture, but the finish is little astringent. 88-89 points.
Red
2005 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Fort Ross Vineyard
86 points
Not showing as well as expected. Notes of strawberries and rose petals. Rather thin on the palate with an astringent finish.
Red
2006 Fort Ross Pinot Noir Symposium Fort Ross Vineyard
87 points
An interesting Pinot. Notes of Bing cherries, grapefruit, and orange rind.
Red
2005 Inman Family Pinot Noir OGV Estate
85 points
Very restrained, almost to the point of being ethereal. Faint notes of raspberries, mineral, and a touch of stem. Sadly, this is a wine that would easily get lost in a crowd.
Red
2005 J. Wilkes Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Q Block
90 points
More elegant than the 2006 Bien Nacido Hillside. Notes of raspberries, strawberries, and hard spices. Well balanced and lovely to taste.
Red
2005 J. Wilkes Pinot Noir Block 3 Solomon Hills Vineyard
88 points
Notes of Bing cherries, pomegranates, and crushed minerals. Nice on the palate, but the finish is attenuated.
Red
2006 J. Wilkes Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Hillside Estate
92 points
Unmistakably Californian, but delicious nonetheless. Hedonistic notes of chocolate covered strawberries, black raspberries, and vanillin oak. Rich, creamy texture. Long dark chocolate infused finish.
Red
2005 L'Angevin Pinot Noir
89 points
Complex and refined with notes of strawberries, raspberries, red clay, earth, and minerals. A potentially outstanding wine that was unfortunately marred by a hot finish.
Red
2006 L'Angevin Pinot Noir Sonoma Stage Vineyard
82 points
Not exactly sure what was going on with this wine or why it was even being poured, because it was simple, primary, and disjointed. I got some sour cherry fruit out of it, but this wine was all over the place. Bottle shock perhaps?
Red
2006 Landmark Pinot Noir Grand Detour
85 points
Notes of strawberries, red clay, and earth. Very bitter on the finish. 85-86 points.
Red
2005 Londer Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
91 points
50% Swan clone, 50% Dijon clones 115 and 777. This is a really lovely wine, even better than when I tasted it at Pinot Days. Notes of dark cherries over strawberries and crushed minerals. Velvety texture. Very impressive.
Red
2006 Londer Pinot Noir Anderson Valley
88 points
Nose a little muted, but on the palate a soft texture accompanying nice raspberry and strawberry fruit. 88-89 points.
Red
2006 Alfaro Family Pinot Noir 'A' Estate
90 points
Perhaps the most open of the Alfaro line-up. Notes of dark cherries and chocolate-covered raspberries. Very good structure and acidity for an entry level wine.
Red
2006 Martin Alfaro Pinot Noir Schultze Vineyard
89 points
An interesting pinot. Exotic notes of cured meats and Asian spices wrapped around a dense core of strawberry puree.
Red
2006 Martin Alfaro Pinot Noir Deer Park Vineyard
88 points
Comprised of Mount Eden clone and Dijon clones 667 and 777. Fairly classic notes of strawberries and earth. Well made.
Red
2006 Martin Alfaro Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard
86 points
Perhaps my least favorite Alfaro pinot. Came across a little like a cherry Pop-Tart.
Red
2006 Alfaro Family Pinot Noir
91 points
A very big pinot. Notes of rubber (but in a good way), dark cherries, sassafras, and hard spices. Dense in mouth and possesses a long finish.
Red
2006 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
90 points
One of the more successful 2006s from RRV, in spite of the fact that it was just bottled when tasted. Notes of strawberries, bing cherries and wet soil. Balanced and delicious.
Red
2006 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
89 points
I was told this wine was just bottled, so it may be suffering from a bit of shock. Notes of strawberries, black cherries, apple skins, and pastry dough. Finishes a little angular, but overall quite balanced.
Red
2003 Michaud Pinot Noir
74 points
When I tasted this, I asked the winemaker if this was maderized. He said it was fine. It was NOT fine!
Red
2004 Michaud Pinot Noir
80 points
This wine was either overextracted and overoaked, or just plain cooked. Either way, it was not very good.
Red
2005 Miller Wine Works Pinot Noir Kendric Vineyard
83 points
When asked which clones went into the wine, the person pouring (winemaker?) said, "All of them." Rubbery, manipulated flavors with a strong finish of cardamom and other hard spices.
Red
2006 Roessler Pinot Noir La Brisa
86 points
On the simple side, but still pretty good. Notes of dark cherries and cola.
Red
2006 Roessler Pinot Noir Griffin's Lair
87 points
Opens with a little bit of a funk, but then evolves and exhibits nice notes of sour cherries, dark cherries, and apple skin. The fruit seems a little underdeveloped here.
Red
2006 Roessler Pinot Noir Dutton Ranch
86 points
Notes of apple skin, earth, and crushed minerals. Searing acidity. Very underdeveloped fruit here.
Red
2006 Roessler Pinot Noir Sanford & Benedict Vineyard
84 points
My least favorite of the line-up. Notes of dark cherries and apple skin, with an Alka-Seltzer-like finish.
Red
2005 Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards Pinot Noir Tina Marie Vineyard
91 points
This wine differed considerably from the 2006 RRV, but I liked it just the same. Juicy notes of strawberries, raspberries, red clay, and leather. Great texture in this elegant wine.
Red
2006 Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
91 points
I was rather impressed with this producer. Juicy notes of raspberries, bing cherries, cola, and crushed minerals. Mouth-watering and delicious!
Red
2006 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
87 points
Notes of dark cherries, toffee, and caramel. Nice fruit concentration and texture. A little soft on the finish, however. 87-88 points.
Red
2006 Sojourn Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard
89 points
I'm not really a huge fan of this vineyard, as I find it a bit too sauvage, but I did enjoy this wine. Comprised of Dijon clones 115 and 777. Notes of strawberry puree, wet earth, apple skin, and vanillin oak. Nice acidity and finish. 89-90 points.
Red
2005 Vergari Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard
86 points
Admittedly, this is not my favorite vineyard. Rustic notes of animal and earth wrapped a core of red fruits.
Red
2005 Vergari Pinot Noir Van der Kamp Vineyard
87 points
An elegant wine with notes of apple skin and earthy red fruits. Odd Alka-Seltzer-like finish.
Red
2006 Vision Cellars Pinot Noir Sonoma County
88 points
Notes of sour cherries, earth, and crushed minerals. Very nice on the attack, but finishes rather short.
Red
2006 Vision Cellars Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard
90 points
I loved the textural plushness of this wine. Hedonistic yet restrained, with notes of sweet cherries, black raspberries, cocoa powder, and citrus. 90-91 points.
Flight 2 - Rhone Varietals (9 notes)
The Rhone verietals showed very well at this tasting. I loved the 2003 Rocca Family Syrah, but the winner for me was the 2006 Thompkin Cellars Grenache -- an incredible wine!
Red
2004 Blue Rock Syrah
89 points
A little heavy handed with the oak, but a nontheless enjoyable wine. Notes of blue and black fruits, grilled meats, and Pez candies. Good acidity helps to balance out the sweetness of the fruit.
Red
2005 Lagier Meredith Syrah
90 points
Notes of blueberries, grilled plums, with some earthy pomegranate creeping though on the finish. Balanced with excellent acidity.
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Comment
Red
2003 Rocca Family Vineyards Syrah
92 points
Seductive aromas of baked bread and espresso are followed my plum puree and mocha on the palate. Really outstanding juice!
Red
2004 Rocca Family Vineyards Syrah
91 points
Notes of plum jam, red currants, dark chocolate, and a touch of espresso. Plush texture. 91-92 points.
Red
2006 Thompkin Cellars Grenache
93 points
The bottled version turned out even better than the barrel sample I had 3 months ago. Denser and darker than the sample, with concentrated notes of strawberry and raspberry jam, exotic brown spices, and with a hint of wet soil and espresso on the finish. A rich and decadent wine -- loved it! 93-94 points.
Red
2006 Thompkin Cellars Syrah
91 points
This wine turned out bigger and better than the barrel sample I had 3 months ago. Huge aromas reminiscent of Côte-Rôtie followed by notes of blueberries, ripe plums, and candied necklaces. An exuberant and lavish wine.
Red
2006 Turchi Syrah
87 points
Tangy red fruits with a good dose of white and black pepper onthe finish. Very good, but not very memorable as a wine.
Red
2006 VIE Winery Grenache L'Imaginaire
91 points
A delicious Grenache. Notes of black raspberries, strawberry coulis, crushed minerals, and grilled meats. Very well done.
Red
2006 VIE Winery Syrah Las Madres Vineyard
88 points
Candied notes of blue fruits and vanilla with some pink peppercorns on the finish.
Flight 3 - Bordeaux Varietals (13 notes)
My general impression is that 2004 is a stronger vintage than 2005 for Cabernet. But that evaluation depends largely upon what one is looking for in a wine. The 2004s tended to show more power and density of fruit, while the 2005s were more elegant. Both were very good across the board; however, it just seems to me that the balanced 2005s will come to maturity a bit sooner than the concentrated 2004s. My favorite Cab of the tasting was the 2004 Rocca Family Cabernet.
Red
2004 Andrew Geoffrey Cabernet Sauvignon Diamond Mountain
92 points
A really delicious wine that shows just how strong the vintage is. Notes of black currant, black plums, dark chocolate, and graphite. --PL
Red
2004 Anomaly Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
A really wonderful and complex wine. Layered notes of cassis, cedar, red currants, and vanillin oak. A touch of mint from the Cab Franc adds an extra dimension. Powerful on the palate yet nicely textured. 92-93 points. --PL
Red
2004 Blue Rock Cabernet Sauvignon
89 points
A nicely balanced wine with refined notes of black currants, cedar, sweet tobacco, and leather. 89-90 points. --PL
Red
2005 Larkmead Vineyards Firebelle
87 points
48% Merlot, 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. A little green with notes of cassis, wet soil, and tree bark. Not bad, but the green notes did not seem well integrated with the rest of the wine. --PL
Red
2005 Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
92 points
This wine stood out in stark contrast to the Firebelle. Notes of cinnamon, cassis, and dark cherries. A pure delineation of fruit. Elegant and possessing a lot of finesse. --PL
Red
2005 Parallel Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
88 points
A nice wine, but much less impressive than the 2004 I had a year ago. Notes of cassis and wet loamy soil. Finishes with a little cranberry tartness. --PL
Red
2003 Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
90 points
A bit on the ripe side, but it manages to hold it all together. Dense and chewy notes of cassis, plum jam, and raisins. --PL
Red
2004 Rocca Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon
93 points
Beautiful aromas introduce a luscious core of plum jam, cherry liqueur, cassis, and dark chocolate. Like drinking Godiva chocolate truffles. --PL
Red
2005 Saint Helena Road Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Roy J. Maier
91 points
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 2% Malbec, 2% Cab Franc. A very fine expression of mountain fruit. Notes of cassis, graphite, and black volcanic soil. Powerful and intense. 91-92 points. --PL
Red
2005 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma Valley
89 points
An elegant and well-made Cabernet with notes of red currants, blackberries, and black cherries with earth and herbal accents. Tannins tasted a little green to me, but the texture is very nice. 88-89 points. --PL
Red
2005 Sojourn Cabernet Sauvignon Home Ranch Vineyard
90 points
Bigger and more structured than the regular Cab, with deep notes of black currants, blackberries, sandalwood, sweet tobacco, and vanillin oak. Pretty tannic at this stage but well-textured. 89-90 points. --PL
Red
2004 Thompkin Cellars Cabernet Franc Couchant
89 points
Notes of black currant, tree bark, and wet soil. Seems to have picked up more weight compared to the last time I tasted it. 89-90 points. --PL
Red
2006 Turchi Cabernet Sauvignon
88 points
Classic Cab notes of cassis, dark cherry, sage and bay leaves. --PL