Sea Smoke Southing Vertical

Between Traci and me, we've been saving our Sea Smoke to make sure we could do a vertical at some point and now was the time since it was Mother's Day and Traci and Kim's birthday. Traci did a great job organizing this one, as usual. The fact that the botella served with the entrée showed the best of the lineup just goes to show that wine has a mind of its own.

• 2013 Ladd Cellars Chardonnay 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Light yellow color, like a Sauvignon blanc actually. Citrus aromas and a Viognier like perfume note. Interestingly the wine has a medium plus weight but great acid balancing it out. While there's a touch of yellow Apple the lemon note drives the palate with a mint and concentrated lime. The finish is very long. For me, this wine screams for oysters, mussels, or some seafood dripping in butter where the acid can do its magic.

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• 2005 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  For me, this is the best southing vintage and it showed again very well against the others. The lightest in color among the southings, light garnet. Nose push the old world envelop with mushroom, moss, and an old sneaker scent. As with most SS the oak is showing but with a lacquer remnant. Fruit is cherry and ripe red berries with a herbal and sage wrapper. Tannins are rounded and supple. Sophisticated wine.
  
  #1 2008 Botella #2 2005 Southing #3 2006 Southing #4 2007 Southing

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• 2006 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing 89 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Medium dark garnet with purple around the rim. Nose is very light toast, leather, dark cherry, and must. The core of the palate is a ripe sweet cherry but mid palate fades immediately, hollow through the finish. Light tannins and a little thin but more feminine of the line up.
  
  #1 2008 Botella #2 2005 Southing #3 2006 Southing #4 2007 Southing

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• 2007 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Extremely dark looking like a SRH Syrah. This is a very ripe and concentrated wine, too ripe for me, as the aromas and flavors are dominated by dark plum pushing towards prune. A little cherry lingers around but it's surrounded by a heavy handed oak treatment. Medium firm tannins.
  
  #1 2008 Botella #2 2005 Southing #3 2006 Southing #4 2007 Southing

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• 2008 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Botella 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  Botella has always been my favorite sea smoke and I'm not apologizing for it. It's just a better wine in my opinion.
  
  The balance for fruit, acid, herbs, and tannins is excellent. Medium plus finish and enjoyable with food or by itself.
  
  #1 2008 Botella #2 2005 Southing #3 2006 Southing #4 2007 Southing

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