A night of Pinot Noir

An impromptu dinner turned into a night to drink a number of 2007 Sonoma Coast Pinots, plus one red Burg. Dinner was inspired by a local farmers market, some rabbit I have been waiting to cook and the blog "French Laundry at Home." The entree was pancetta wrapped rabbit loin with roasted rainbow carrots and braised fennel. A salad of red and green leaf lettuce was also served with a simple champagne vinagrette.

• 2002 Marché Aux Vins - Recolte Pommard 1er Cru La Refène 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Pommard 1er Cru

  The first pinot of the evening was a great start. A nose full of cherry and smoke. Flavors of cherry, cranberry and smokey minerality cut through the palate. A very elegant and precise wine. Excellent balance of fruit, minerality, acid and texture. I really enjoyed this, especially with the pancetta wrapped rabbit loin. I am excited to try this again at age 10.

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• 2007 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  The nose was loaded with berry fruit and a touch of wood. On the palate the wine had an amazingly velvety mouth feel. The plush berry fruit coats ones mouth as the raspberry, cherry and strawberry flavors mingle in excellent balance. The finish is loaded with raspberry-vanilla creme, showing nice acidity to help carry it across the palate. There are no hard edges here despite the wine's youth. While there were indications of secondary flavors such as star anise, sassafrass and oak, this is all about rich fruit right now. This blows away the RRV bottle tasted a few days ago (right now...).

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• 2007 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 90 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Hands-down the tightest wine of the evening. The nose was filled with barnyard, cherry and smoke. On the palate the wine was very focused showing a bit of tannin. Tart cherry fruit was backed by smoke and raspberry notes. Tthe finish featured refreshing minerality, smoke and a hint of creaminess. My final few sips showed the promise of this wine as the tannins melted a bit and the smoke and barnyard died down. This allowed the fruit to come into harmony with the minerality, cream, spice and tea notes. Needs more time than the night's other bottles.

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• 2007 Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir La Neblina 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  The last pinot of the evening. The nose was actually pretty complex with dark cherries, a touch of smoke and floral notes. Flavor-wise this was surprisingly the most Burgundian of the CA pinots. Tart cherry, cranberry, a touch of blood orange backed by notes of flowers and earth. Flavors had a lot of verve thanks to an acidic backbone. An impressive pinot which I hope will only get better witth a few years of age.

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All together a great night with friends and good wine. The KB was my WOTN but I think the Radio-Coteau will eclipse it with time. I don't know how the KB can evolve into something prettier (what happens when the fruit fades?). The ME was nice but needs time as well. It seemed as though everyone had a different WOTN, reflecting the great bottles on hand. I liked the richness and textures of the 2007 pinots tasted and am curious to see them evolve.