Ed Kurtzman Dinner

Luciana's, Dana Point, CA
Tasted Sunday, May 3, 2015 by brigcampbell with 724 views

Introduction

We have returned to the cellar cave in the backroom for this dinner with Ed Kurtzman. We probably overuse the term "great guy" but Ed is even better than that! Super guy, humanitarian, superb winemaker.

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Flight 1 - Anti Pasta and a Unicorn (1 Note)

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  • 2009 The Council Pinot Noir Grande Cuvée Rosella's Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    You can't buy this sparkler because it's made by a group of 5 friends, one being Jerry Yang of Yahoo fame, for their personal consumption. Ed Kurtzman is buddies with one of them and trades wines to get this gem.

    This is the most sophisticated and complex american bubbly I've tasted. I would have guessed French grower and put money on it. Steve, a guy than knows a lot about champagne, was wildly impressed and was fortunate enough to be gifted a bottle of this prize from Ed. It couldn't have found a better home.

    It little foamy on the pour but it settled down quickly. I struggled with the bread note, it wasn't giant brioche or sour dough, but more like a neutral croissant. Very high acid, razor blades, with significant tart lemon rind. This wine bites back. This will age age forever, hopefully I'll get a chance to share Steve's bottle in the future and reflect on the changes. Big winner.

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Flight 2 - Insalata di Arugula and the Rosella's Vineyard Chardonnays (2 Notes)

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  • 2007 August West Chardonnay Rosella's Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    Aromas of red apple and pear. This only saw neutral oak and has a creamy mouthfeel. There's a tasty umami / macadamia nut flavor running across palate. Medium plus weight and a long finish. Although only a few bottles remaining on the planet this is going strong and adding secondary elements.

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  • 2013 August West Chardonnay Rosella's Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    This shows much more sweet fruit with a brightness compared to the 2007, I guess that's to be expected. Lighter in weight at this stage, nimble on the palate, with a slick mouthfeel. A hint of jasmine lingers at the finish. This is very easy to like.

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Flight 3 - Salmon and Graham's Vineyard Pinot Noir (2 Notes)

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  • 2005 August West Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    The nose on this wine would get a perfect 10 if it wasn't for the Russian judge, beautifully entertaining. It's ripe red fruit and cherry but showing some age. There a medjool date flavor, I'm certain I've never used that descriptor before but it was there with lots of sandalwood. Huge cigar box flavors with that tobacco tang too. Maturing beautifully.

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  • 2012 August West Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Oaky nose, dark roasted cherries. Backend of the palate has lots of spice, in fact, it's like jalapeño pepper and it hangs around for a long time. Very good wine and super complexity at this young age.

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Flight 4 - Butternut Squash Ravioli with Keefer Ranch Pinot Noir (3 Notes)

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  • 2010 Sandler Wine Company Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Dark raspberry nose. Ripe strawberry and raspberry flavors. Nicely balance fruit and acid. Fine tannins. A touch of candied cherry. I like this wine a lot and there is an amazing consistency between the 2010, 2011, and 2012 vintages.

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  • 2011 Sandler Wine Company Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Raspberry aromas and palate. The oak is still making itself known. Strawberry palate big spicy ending. This just nudges the 2010 and 2012 for my favorite. I'm a sucker for the best Pinot in California history, 2011.

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  • 2012 Sandler Wine Company Pinot Noir Keefer Ranch

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    Riper of the three vintages at this point but also the youngest. Red fruit / raspberry and sandalwood. I think someone used the term "slutty fruit".

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Flight 5 - Chicken Masala with Rosella's and Peterson. (3 Notes)

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  • 2005 August West Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    Dark and still hanging on to its concentration of fruit. Although there's no whole cluster here I'm getting a stem note, I really to figure out what this is but we'll call it herbal for now.

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  • 2011 August West Pinot Noir Rosella's Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    I would have never put this in the 2011 vintage. It's ripe, sweet fruit and even candied. Delicious but not the typical rhubarb, raspberry, tart fruit of the cool vintage.

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  • 2012 August West Pinot Noir Peterson Vineyard

    USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

    Love this wine. I've posted a couple of notes on this already and it continues to deliver a smooth, fine tannin, perfectly balanced wine with an attractive white pepper finish.

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Flight 6 - Polenta Salcicci and Syrah (2 Notes)

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Closing

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