Anderson Valley Wines
Aliso Viejo, CA
Tasted September 26, 2008 by Paul Lin with 534 views
Introduction
Last week, the Worthless Palates of Orange County got together at Rick Joyer's pad to do a tasting of wines from the Anderson Valley. The clear favorites for me were the 2006 Radio-Coteau Savoy Vineyard Pinot (my WOTN) and the 2005 Littorai Les Larmes Pinots. Both wines showed a tremendous amount of elegance without compromising fruit concentration. By comparison, the 2004 Pinots, which I tasted after the RC and Littorai, came across as a bit too ripe. They were still enjoyable as wines, but just not as impressive. All of our Anderson Valley Syrahs ended up coming from Copain, which is a shame, as it would have been nice to compare interpretations from different producers. The results, however, were mixed, with some Syrahs showing better than others.
But as is usually the case, the highlight of evening was the company, a good group of people who are always willing to share and not take themselves too seriously. I tip my glass to you.
Flight 1 (9 notes)
White
2005 Radio-Coteau Chardonnay Savoy Vineyard
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
A rich wine that comes across more like a Viognier than a Chard. Notes of marshmallow cream, banana skin, peaches, and vanillin oak. A bit more acidity would have brought the wine into better balance.
Red
2006 Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
An outstanding Pinot from a mixed vintage. Notes of sweet cherries, raspberry couli, blueberries, sassafras root, and hard spices. Nice richness and concentration without being overdone. Finishes with a mineral-laced acidity. My WOTN.
Red
2005 Littorai Pinot Noir Les Larmes
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
This wine started out as my WOTN, but as the evening wore on, it fell out of balance and hence out of favor. Youthful notes of black cherries, black raspberries, cola and cloves. On the palate, it came across as a lighter version of Kosta Brown. After a few hours, however, the once vibrant acidity started to fade away and the wine became a little flabby. Still a very good wine though.
Red
2004 MacPhail Pinot Noir Toulouse Vineyard
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
This wine did not show as well as the 3 other times I tried it. Rich and sweet, with notes of ripe cherries and brown sugar. Glycerinous on the palate and a little monolithic, it just could not stand up to the Littorai and Radio-Coteau. 88-89 points.
Red
2004 Copain Pinot Noir Cerise Vineyard
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Notes of sweet Maraschino cherries, forest floor, and red clay. More sweet cherries on the palate with a long minerally finish.
Red
2004 Copain Syrah Broken Leg Vineyard
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
This wine seemed more like a barrel sample than a finished wine. Primary notes of blueberry jam, cotton candy, and bubble bum. Sweet and flabby on the palate with a loamy finish. A curious wine.
Red
2005 Copain Syrah Eaglepoint Ranch
USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County
This wine also came across a bit like a barrel sample, but less so than the 2004 Broken Leg. Primary notes of blueberry jam, cotton candy, plums, dried herbs and lingonberries. Its firm acidity is this wine's saving grace. 88-89 points.
Red
2005 Copain Syrah McDowell Valley
USA, California, North Coast, McDowell Valley
I was informed that this wine was opened the day before, which perhaps explains why it showed better than the other two Copains. Notes of plums, blackberries, black cherries, garrigue, and a touch of peppercorns. Slightly chalky tannins round out the finish. A nice wine and my favorite Syrah of the evening.
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