The 1994 Kalin Cuvée Billon is the best North American Pinot Noir I've ever tasted. The wine soars from the glass in a blaze of cocoa powder, rich earth, cinnamon, violets and lovely red-black fruit tones—a nose of kaleidoscopic complexity. On the palate the wine is seamless, vibrant and effortlessly balanced, evoking a top Cote de Nuits grand cru. If only Kalin Cellars had produced more than two barrels!
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I agree with JMK's notes. Nose reminded me of freshly mown hay. Plenty of acid but not much fruit left. A hint of strawberry on the palate. Slightly oxidized. This was probably delicious 10 years ago -- now it is an interesting but uninspiring experience.
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Interesting, but not exciting. Very muted nose of strawberry, oak, earth. Palate was lack luster. Still had acid, although the tannins were almost completely gone. Had a strong sherry quality that I usually find in wines past their prime. This was decanted for about 45 minutes before tasting, then tasted again 3 hours later- no improvement.
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A selection of Cuvée DD that gets extended aging in Billon barrels in honor of Gaston Billon of Tonnellerie Billon, who died in 1994. Bottled without racking, fining, or filtration in 1996 and laying in the Kalin cellars until winter of 2009. This wine shows it is from California with rich, ripe, mineral fruit but has an elegance and refined finish that is atypical in what I've tasted. Lots of red fruit, five spice, significant structure. There is enough oak to scare off someone that is totally oak-averse but it is an oak that I like. Maybe that is due to the significant age? Not as complete as Les Pierre Blanches but very good.
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1/29/2016 - William Kelley Likes this wine: 98 Points
The 1994 Kalin Cuvée Billon is the best North American Pinot Noir I've ever tasted. The wine soars from the glass in a blaze of cocoa powder, rich earth, cinnamon, violets and lovely red-black fruit tones—a nose of kaleidoscopic complexity. On the palate the wine is seamless, vibrant and effortlessly balanced, evoking a top Cote de Nuits grand cru. If only Kalin Cellars had produced more than two barrels!
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7/21/2012 - mreinitz wrote: 82 Points
I agree with JMK's notes. Nose reminded me of freshly mown hay. Plenty of acid but not much fruit left. A hint of strawberry on the palate. Slightly oxidized. This was probably delicious 10 years ago -- now it is an interesting but uninspiring experience.
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1/14/2011 - j.michael.kilgore wrote: 80 Points
Interesting, but not exciting. Very muted nose of strawberry, oak, earth. Palate was lack luster. Still had acid, although the tannins were almost completely gone. Had a strong sherry quality that I usually find in wines past their prime. This was decanted for about 45 minutes before tasting, then tasted again 3 hours later- no improvement.
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3/24/2010 - BillB656 Likes this wine:
A selection of Cuvée DD that gets extended aging in Billon barrels in honor of Gaston Billon of Tonnellerie Billon, who died in 1994. Bottled without racking, fining, or filtration in 1996 and laying in the Kalin cellars until winter of 2009. This wine shows it is from California with rich, ripe, mineral fruit but has an elegance and refined finish that is atypical in what I've tasted. Lots of red fruit, five spice, significant structure. There is enough oak to scare off someone that is totally oak-averse but it is an oak that I like. Maybe that is due to the significant age? Not as complete as Les Pierre Blanches but very good.
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