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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.7 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 64 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by t_moderne on 10/11/2020 & rated 91 points: Pop and pour.
Enjoyed in plastic Govino cups on a Lake sailing adventure on a crisp Autumn day.
Dark ruby color.
Nose offers good red fruits, and a brown spice note - of nutmeg and mace. Touch of white pepper.
Surprisingly young for an 11 year old Alexander valley Pinot Noir.
Good richness to the fruit, with a hint of plum and leather following the intro of red cherries. Shows a slight bit of oak as well.
Quite delicious. (2148 views) | | | Tasted by rralls on 3/20/2017 & rated 91 points: Very rich and extracted but an otherwise well balanced and smooth wine. (5642 views) | | | Tasted by DrP33 on 2/2/2017 & rated 93 points: Rich, smooth and well balanced. A winner for sure. (5678 views) | | | Tasted by hesnctrl on 7/23/2016 & rated 91 points: PnP. Brought to a restaurant so no formal notes. Actually did not know it was a Moroccan inspired place and was worried a bit about the pairing. Wound up getting a lamb tagine and this wine held its own. As mentioned previously, this is a quite a burly Pinot that is pretty jammy....since when are Pinot and Jammy in the same sentence? Very similar to prior bottle from almost two years back. Not my style and not what I look for in a Pinot, but a good wine nonetheless.
Enjoyed in a Riedel Vivant Burgundy glass at 60F. (6147 views) | | | Tasted by RGCM Gananda on 4/1/2016 & rated 91 points: Raspberry, cinnamon and a stemmy quality on the nose. A bit above medium bodied and dominated by cinnamon, spice and fruit. As a prior reviewer noted, nothing feminine or subtle about this wine. Raspberry and spice upfront but after being open for 3+ hours, the back and the finish started to smooth out and integrate nicely. This is a big wine that I probably opened a year or so too soon. Was probably more fruit-forward in it's youth and is only now beginning to soften and smooth out - showing some nuances. Given the fruit and structure, I would think this wine integrates and smooths over the next few years rather than fades. Depends on your style preference, but I would hold a bit longer. (6432 views) | | | Tasted by Meembo on 12/29/2015 & rated 92 points: Fresh and lively cranberry, cinnamon stick and some creaminess that texturally makes me think of caramel for some reason. The finish layers in raspberry and licorice or perhaps cola. This is probably drinking close to its peak. (6292 views) | | | Tasted by brianofthevine on 3/15/2015 & rated 92 points: Red cherry and cranberry. Big caramel notes with long finish. Very nice. (2639 views) | | | Tasted by hesnctrl on 11/22/2014 & rated 91 points: Poured into a decanter and back into the bottle about 2 hrs before serving. Full throttle, full fruit style of Pinot. Nothing feminine or elegant about this one. Concentrated nose of ripe red fruits and a hint of spice, but no cola. Very full/rich mid-palate that is 100% fruit with a persistent finish. Not my style of Pinot, but a nice wine nonetheless.
Enjoyed in a Riedel Vinum Burgundy glass at 62°F. (3442 views) | | | Tasted by emdub on 3/15/2014 & rated 87 points: Very monolithic. Fruit bomb, Cali Style. Not my cup of tea. (4303 views) | | | Tasted by winopops3 on 12/24/2013 & rated 92 points: Fairly dark. Nose of spice and dark fruits. Black cherry fruit with spice long finish. Quite delicious. (4134 views) | | | Tasted by nicolausson on 8/13/2013 & rated 91 points: Excellent! Round and fruity on the nose. Rich and well balanced on the tongue with some clear spicy tones and a nice long aftertaste. (4607 views) | | | Tasted by Bacchusboy on 7/30/2013 & rated 92 points: I am a big fan of Anderson Valley Pinots. Black Kite is my favorite. The '09 for me, was a great combination of red fruit forward minerality with a refined balanced mid palate. The finish provided the acidity that makes the Burgundian/Californian character the perfect compromise of Old and New world pinot.....Highly recommended. (4501 views) | | | Tasted by Barry Notes on 7/15/2013 & rated 90 points: PnP, not decanted and served too cold. More on the full body/big style, excellent juice but would have shown better if had been decanted and warmer. Nothing off. $42 (3584 views) | | | Tasted by corka on 3/31/2013 & rated 89 points: I'm a big fan of Black Kite wine but this one was a little disappointing compared to other BK wines that I've had. However, that's a relative term considering it was still very good. Unfortunately when a producer like BK puts out such quality wine we come to expect them all to be that way. I took the time to decant it and it was still very enjoyable, just a little unbalanced with some heat coming off the back. The nose was a bit tight as well, but still showed nice dark fruit aromas and a nice finish. Looking forward to Angel Hawk Reserve... (3399 views) | | | Tasted by Freundez on 3/14/2013 & rated 93 points: Very nice. Dark cherry and earthy bouquet. Smooth on the palate with a Burgundian style that I really enjoy. Should continue to age well for the next five years or so. (2991 views) | | | Tasted by Frank Murray III on 10/21/2012: Tasted next to the 2010 Hansel Estate. The Kite shows more dark flavors, blacker fruit, along with ginger and medium plus weight. There is good balance here. (3134 views) | | | Tasted by brigcampbell on 10/21/2012: Dinner with Friends (FMIII in the OC): Lots of moving parts here, nothing bashful regarding this wine. Dark fruit nose. Palate is dark cherry and spice. Medium finish. (3776 views) | | | Tasted by cjsavino on 10/21/2012 & rated 90 points: Consistent from previous notes, a big wine, lots of red fruit, including cranberry with a moderate finish. Still young and needs some air. (3140 views) | | | Tasted by cjsavino on 10/6/2012 & rated 90 points: Well made Pinot, great finish (2724 views) | | | Tasted by zsherburne on 8/23/2012 & rated 88 points: Same points as earlier tasting. I enjoy the bottle, but prefer other pinots from the area (e.g. Baxter) but for the price point, especially relative to some other California pinots of comparable quality, a good bottle of pinot. (2922 views) | | | Tasted by zsherburne on 8/16/2012 & rated 88 points: Very Good not great pinot from Anderson Valley. Initially tasted a little hot, after being open for a bit this seemed to blow off. Nice fruit, good structure, fairly balanced, but lacking the complexity or nuance pinot is capable of. (2418 views) | | | Tasted by brianofthevine on 6/28/2012 & rated 91 points: Red cherry, strawberry, cranberry. Good acidity and spice. Nice finish. (958 views) | | | Tasted by BlancdeBlanc on 6/5/2012 & rated 89 points: Aroma: aromatic spice, tobacco, vanilla, cherry Palate, alcohol (14.8%), acidity, toasted cherries, black tea, cloves. Final lingering impression: cloves and alcohol submerged in dark berries. (3045 views) | | | Tasted by jhieb on 4/29/2012 & rated 92 points: Complex and earthy. One of my favorite from Black Kite. Great wine for the money. (3101 views) | | | Tasted by jhieb on 4/29/2012 & rated 92 points: Consistently good Pinot. Definitely new world. (3162 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Gregory Walter
PinotReport, Issue #76 (1/15/2012)
(Black Kite Cellars Pinot Noir Kite's Rest Anderson Valley) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (10/23/2011)
(Black Kite Pinot Noir Kite's Rest) Dark cherry red color; tart cherry, light brett nose; tart cherry, light brett palate; medium-plus finish 88+ points 88 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of PinotReport and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Black Kite Producer website
Black Kite Cellars is an Anderson Valley, California winery dedicated to Pinot Noir. The 40 acre site is in proximity to the Navarro River in a section of Anderson Valley know as “Deep End”. The site was purchased in 1995 by Donald and Maureen Green and three generations of the Green family are involved in winery operations. In 1999 12 acres were planted to Pinot Noir. Vineyard management is handled by Paul Ardzronni who started in 2004. Wine making is handling by Jeff Gaffner who began duties with the 2005 vintage. The vineyard is divided into three blocks of 4 acres each. Redwood’s Edge planted with 114 and 115 clones, Stoney Terrace planted with Pommard. River Turn planted with Pommard. While Black Kite released their first wine in 2003, it was the 2005 vintage when Jeff Gaffner made the wines that brought the winery notoriety. Reviews were extremely favorable with most publications scoring the three releases in the low 90's. Pinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson North CoastThe North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California, covering more than three million acres, includes Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, and portions of Marin and Solano counties. (see The Wine Institute for more information)Anderson Valleyhttp://www.avwines.com/anderson-valley-appellation-map/
Anderson Valley stretches from Yorkville Highlands (located in a highland meadow straddling the upper Rancheria Creek and upper Dry Creek watersheds) through Boonville (located on Anderson Creek) and Philo (located on Indian Creek) to Navarro (located on Soda Creek). Rancheria, Anderson, Indian and Soda creeks are tributaries to the Navarro River, which flows north and west through the coastal range to the Pacific Ocean; Dry Creek flows south into the Russian River watershed in Sonoma County. The main stem of the Navarro River begins less than a mile south of Philo at the confluence of Anderson Creek and Rancheria Creek. The mouth of the Navarro is 10 miles (16 km) south of Mendocino, California. Encompassing 315 square miles (816 km²), the Navarro River watershed is the largest coastal basin in Mendocino County.
Such unique geography results in a wide diurnal range, with daily high and low temperatures occasionally diverging 40 or 50 degrees. This enables Pinot Noir growers to keep acid development in line with sugar and flavor formation through long, warm Indian summers. It also makes for superb Gewurztraminer and Riesling, giving rise to the valley’s annual Alsatian Varietals and Pinot Noir festivals.
The climate in the Anderson Valley appellation is tempered by cool marine air. Steep hills and mountains surround rolling to nearly level alluvial terraces. The dominant natural vegetation is a mixed forest of Coast Redwood, various native oak varieties, and Douglas-fir. Elevation ranges from sea level to 2,500 feet (760 m). The average annual precipitation ranges from 35 to 80 inches (900 to 2000 mm). The average annual temperature is about 53 °F (12 °C), and the average frost-free season ranges from 220 to 365 days. Towards the coast the summers are cool and moist with frequent fog, while the interior Anderson Valley proper features a warm to hot summer climate similar to nearby interior regions, with daytime highs occasionally in excess of 100 °F (38 °C).
Visitors to the Valley should come prepared for cool evenings and warm days. Locals dress in layers year round. |
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