Jim Coley Pours Some Dain La Encantada + Melville and York Creek

On the way to KC I realized I needed to pick a place for dinner but I hadn't contacted any of the locals. I fired off some emails to Jim Coley and found out he was the wine director at a restaurant. Score. With me was a group of wine-lovers that are just starting to learn about wine. I wanted to have some distinct differences between the wines to help the understand their preferences. Jim made a great suggestion as I would say a Cali Pinot from SRH and some mountain fruit Petit Verdot are at opposite ends of the spectrum. They turned out to be two great wines and nice foils for each other as the night progressed.

• 2007 Melville Viognier Estate

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  I need to confirm this was the Estate.
  I have enjoyed this every vintage I have tried. Makes a great summer sipper. Like previous vintages this a big fruited and somewhat sweet viognier. It took a bit for the aromatics to wake up but they did come around. The wine showed rich apples and pears along with a little honeysuckle. The reason I enjoy this wine is because there is this hedonistic and easy going quality but it always seems to have nice balanced acidity. Very nice. If I had to guess I would assume there is a little bit of residual sugar.

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• 2007 Dain Wines Pinot Noir Anticipation La Encantada

  USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills

  First vintage for the La Encentada. First bottle slightly corked but a new bottle immediately showed up and I got all the smoky brambly fruit jumping out of the glass. The young wine is almost totally primary at this stage. I really enjoyed the great purity of fruit. A big wine that keeps its weight in check. The acid allows the finish to go on and on. One of my first 07 SRH wines and this was very encouraging.

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• 2003 York Creek Vineyards Petit Verdot

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  This was the wine Jim selected to be the counterpart to the Dain. Such a different wine. The table was split as to they which they preferred. Still lots of fruit but beginning to showcase some secondary elements. Dark fruit combined with mushrooms and leather. Should continue to age for awhile. I like the way the acid did not go very tart. Very Bordeaux like. IIRC this is my first taste of a York Creek wine but now they are right on my radar. Going to track down a few others to get a feel for what they do.

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Thanks to Jim and the staff at Starkers as this was a first class meal and experience. Everyone has been raving about it. Although I think the server almost had a heart attack when he thought I ran off with out paying for the check. Jim, I really did leave it on the table.

One note not left was the very nice grappa I had to finish off the evening.

Cheers,

Jason