Tasted Saturday, March 28, 2009 by WetRock with 989 views
Having a chance to preview the 2007 Alesia Pinots was a god excuse to get the group together for a night of Chardonnay and Pinot. The theme was simply to bring a bottle of either from where ever you prefer. We ended up with a nearly exclusively California line up and some terrific bottles as the group stepped up to the plate as usual. The Chardonnays present were impressive in that most all of them were in stylistically in contrast to the big fat buttery classic California Chard that has made many of us turn elsewhere for satisfaction.
Several excellent bottles make it hard to pick WOTN's so I'll just list the bottles that stood out the most for me. 97 Arcadian Bien Nacido Chard, 02 Littoria Theriot Chard, 07 RM Theriot Chard, 02 Radio-Coteau Marsh Pinot, 06 RM Summa Old Vines Pinot, 06 RM Occidental Ridge Pinot, 07 Alesia Falstaff Road Pinot.
Thanks to everyone for making it yet another great night of friends and wine.
A very good group of wines by and large displaying styles far from the usual fat buttery Chards so prevalent from the state. Disappointed about the Stony Hill but possibly not a great vintage for them. The Arcadian was excellent though and the Littoria and Rivers Marie probably need more time but both are terrific wines.
A mixed lot. Of these the Evesham Wood is clearly the best for me though bigger and more forward than I would have expected. Both 02's displayed much too much ripeness. The Aston and Windy Oaks lacked concentration and interest for me.
Eric was kind enough to bring a small vertical from a vineyard that is under another name now. The RC's were very different. I thought the 02 displayed nice structure and concentration while the 03 was more forward and ripe but there was disagreement on that point. There was little disagreement or enjoyment found in the Boheme.
Unplanned we ended up with four RM's which didn't seem to bother anyone. ;) The Chard and the two 06's seemed to be liked by all. The Summa Old Vines for me will be the best of them in a few years but they were all excellent last night.
Just bottled a couple months ago we were lucky enough to be able to preview the non-estate Pinots from Rhys. 2007 is looking to be a great vintage for Pinot in California and these wines show why. Plenty of concentrated fruit without sweetness and fatness. I think the consensus was that these were strong wines across the lineup with the Falstaff being the clear winner. Save your nickels and pennies.
Wouldn't be a night at Chez Murray without raiding the 'Scraper. Also opened was an 01 Paoletti Cuvee Speciale Cab that I couldn't find in CT that showed some good balanced and a more classic style. And also an 02 Rodney Strong Reserve Cab and three other 06 Alcina's. I'll let those that want to comment on those make up for my lack of notes.
1989 Stony Hill Chardonnay
USA, California, Napa Valley
Over the hump but not quite dead. Nose had some nice qualities but the palate had a fair amount of oxidation in it. Might work with a meal but probably too far gone for most people.
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1997 Arcadian Chardonnay Bien Nacido Vineyard
USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Maria Valley
We didn't even have this one at our big Arcadian tasting. Nose of spiced baked white fruits. More spiced baked fruits on the palate with a lean feel and plenty of minerals over a very acidic finish. What a great surprise and treat. Excellent.
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2001 Beringer Vineyards Chardonnay Sbragia Limited Release
USA, California, Napa Valley
This was probably best within a couple years of release when the fruit was its freshest. Tired nose shows ripe apples and some heat. Fat and ripe yet complex but lacking acidity.
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2002 Littorai Chardonnay Thieriot Vineyard
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Nose of sweet lemon pie. Thick but light on its feet with more sweet lemon notes and a touch of straw. Plenty of fruit but I'm guessing this need more time if anything. Very nice.
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2006 Varner Chardonnay Spring Ridge Vineyard Amphitheater Block
USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains
Very lemony nose with some straw notes. On the round side with a full feeling palate though clean with lots of lemon. I think the fatness of the fruit is overwhelming the acidity right now. Good but I would let this relax more.
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2006 School House Chardonnay
USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District
Sweet nose with something like spiced pumpkin bread qualities. The spice cake bread also comes into a sweet fat palate. Not in my wheel house stylistically but a nice example of the style.
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