Chardonnay and Pinot Noir with Middle Eastern Foods

Tasted Saturday, March 28, 2009 by WetRock with 989 views

Introduction

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.

Flight 1 - Chardonnay (6 Notes)

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.

Flight 2 - Pinot Noir (5 Notes)

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.

Flight 3 - Marsh Vineyard mini-vertical (3 Notes)

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.

Flight 4 - Rivers Marie (4 Notes)

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.

  • 2007 Rivers-Marie Chardonnay B. Thieriot Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Initially when popped the oak was very strong on the nose and the palate was very wrapped up. Revisiting the palate seemed to relax some though still on the tight and chunky side and the oak relaxed on the nose giving some straw notes. Balanced feel with good acids and great mineral quality. Nice concentration on the palate and the 100% new oak was barely detectable. Not your typical ripe oaky Cali Chard I'm guessing another year or two in the bottle will help this unwind a bit but very good now.

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  • 2004 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Some Pinot funk on the nose. Lean feeling palate. Didn't spend a lot of time on it but remember thinking it didn't show the greenness that I got the last time I had this one.

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  • 2006 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Occidental Ridge Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Expressive nose of black cherry and baking spice. Forward big cherry and dark berry fruits but not fleshy or extracted feeling. Terrific expressive big Pinot if a bit short. Drink these while the Summa's age.

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  • 2006 Rivers-Marie Pinot Noir Summa Old Vines

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Dark cherry nose with a bit of spice. Lots of fruit but seems wrapped up some. Very strong expressive finish. Outstanding wine and probably even better in a couple years or more. Candidate for WOTN.

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Flight 5 - 2007 Alesia Preview (3 Notes)

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.

  • 2007 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Decanted about 2 hours prior to consumption. Rich nose showing notes of soil. Lots of fruit here and almost big but not showing sweetness. Expressive with a strong grip. Of the three 07 Alesia's this was the most 'ready' to me and the most forward though it will also live for a while in bottle.

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  • 2007 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Green Valley of Russian River Valley

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Green Valley of Russian River Valley

    Decanted 2 hours prior to consumption. Nose is a bit tight showing a wood note. Wrapped up and concentrated but light in feel. Good acids with some mineral character. Ripest and sweetest of the three 07 Alesia's on the night but far from a cocktail Pinot.

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  • 2007 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Falstaff Road Vineyard

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

    Decanted about 2 hours prior to consumption.Rich nose with plenty of minerals. Thick with plenty of packed fruit and very tannic for Pinot but balanced with acids. Chunky now but all the pieces are there for a terrific wine that should be long lived. This will be better than the 05 which is saying something.

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Flight 6 - Extras (3 Notes)

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.

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