Wine Article
2003 Davis Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Last edited on 8/7/2012 by alexparr
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"A blend of our own vineyards (85%) and a small portion of Dutton Ranch (15%), this is hands-down the best Pinot I have ever crafted!
Yes, I know the 2001 won tons of gold medals… and the Affairs of the Vine “Pinot Noir Shoot Out” picked it as a top finisher and remarked “very drinkable essences of flowers, forests and distinct cherry cola leading into a soft, silky, ethereal finish. An artful wine.” And yes, I know that the 2002 won lots of gold medals too, and that Wine Enthusiast gave it 91 points, called it one of “California’s Home Runs” in their World Series of Pinot Noir article; and described it as “A wonderfully polished and supple wine that pleases with oodles of rich, smoky, cherry flavors and a smooth, chocolaty mouthfeel; The silky texture and crisp acidity make it complex and rewarding. Really a winner.”
And yes, the Pinot File Newsletter put it 1st on their “2004 First String All-American list after reviewing 750 California Pinots…But as far as hitting the true center of my Pinot Noir bulls eye – This 2003 is the one!! My favorite Pinot to date and when the critics get their hands on it in a few months they will undoubtedly agree! Explosive complexity! Perfumed raspberry, cherry blossom and brown spice aromas lead into rich, juicy black cherry, spicy plums, smoky nuances and hints of sweet cocoa – an array of aromas and flavors that seem to fan out like the plume of a peacock – supple power that finishes like satin. Very limited and very delicious.
AWARDS - 2005
Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition - Silver
North of the Gate Wine Competition - Silver
Sonoma County Harvest Fair - Silver
Starwine International Wine Competition - Silver
California State Fair Wine Competition - Bronze
Los Angeles County Fair (Limited Cases) - Bronze
Orange County (CA) Fair Wine Competition - Bronze
San Francisco International Wine Competition - Bronze"
Source
"2003 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
The pursuit of creating the perfect Pinot Noir is like the pursuit of the Holy Grail; a few of us believe it exists and we wake up at dawn every day to move one step closer in our quest! To quote from the Oscar winning screenplay Sideways:
MAYA: Why are you so into Pinot? It’s like a thing with you.
MILES: I don’t know. It’s a hard grape to grow. It’s thin-skinned, temperamental, and ripens early. It’s not a survivor like Cabernet that can grow anywhere and thrive even when neglected. Pinot needs constant care and attention and in fact can only grow in specific little tucked-away corners of the world. And only the most patient and nurturing growers can do it really, can tap into Pinot’s most fragile, delicate qualities. Only when someone has taken the time to truly understand its potential can Pinot be coaxed into its fullest expression. And when that happens, its flavors are the most haunting and brilliant and subtle and thrilling and ancient on the planet.
Miles sums it up pretty well. In this discussion I am not talking about just making Pinot Noir, I am talking about creating great Pinot Noir. What is the difference between good Pinot Noir and great Pinot Noir? Balance and complexity!
The balance of rich, dark, full bodied aromas and flavors like black cherries, chocolate, coffee and forest floor mixed with the elegant, sensual perfume of raspberries, brown spices and sweet cherry blossoms…textures that are full and mouthcoating yet silky and lasting…pairing with any dish or perfect on its own!
When true harmony exists, the sensual layers seem to unfold forever! The bigger question lies in how to make not just good, but great Pinot Noir. Simple: everything matters! There are literally hundreds of small steps, none the answer by themselves but all important in the final product…risking oversimplification these are my top 5 rules to keep on course toward greatness.
1) Only grow on sites destined for greatness; hillsides planted with north/south row direction, close proximity to the coast to help lengthen the growing season as long as possible to maximize those complex
flavors, matching the exact rootstalks and a variation of clones specific to the soils and location.
2) Precision viticulture; I do not farm 7 acres, I farm 9274 vines - my philosophy is for every vine to get at least 12 touches during the growing season from pruning to harvest,…things like thinning the crop to boost concentration, positioning shoots to expose clusters to maximum sunlight and airflow, then at the end of the season perhaps positioning them to shade the fruit and protect it from shrivel in the harsh August sun; “field sorting”-cutting off any clusters not exactly perfect, meaning raisins or bird damaged, or any grapes not on exact ripening pace with the others, etc.
3) Pick on the right &*%$#@* day!! There is a day that is exactly the day; as ripe and supple as possible without crossing that very fine line of overripe – Pinot will show it if you pick too early or too late, it takes an obsessive, focused, fanatical instinct to hit that day!
4) Work meticulously smelling, tasting, and talking to the wines each week to be able to handle the wine as little as possible, every action will show and perhaps reduce the prized complexity – never pump the wine - use only gravity or inert gas to gently move the wine.
5) Be an expert at blending – know what true greatness is, through trial and experience use only techniques that work seamlessly with your vineyards, keep each section of the vineyard separate, then through accurate yet artistic trial - assemble the final magical blend that expresses the vintage, that special vineyard location, and the lust of the Pinot Goddess! Perfect Pinot may be elusive but when discovered and embraced, it is truly heaven.
This 2003 Pinot Noir has already received several scores over 90 points from various publications including a score of “Superb 95 – 100” from Gerald Boyd of the San Francisco Chronicle and Wine Review On-line in his review of over 20 Russian River Pinot Noirs but we want you to be the judge! I purposely sent this wine in November because Pinot Noir is the perfect wine for Thanksgiving! It is not too overpowering for the turkey, it has a wonderful spicy note that matches with stuffing and sweet potatoes, creates an outstanding pairing to the cranberries and that velvety texture and balance seem to set the mood just right for the times of Family and good Friends that make this time of year so special! ---
PS--A glass of this Pinot Noir with a turkey sandwich, layered with the extras… Oh yeah!!" - Source
Yes, I know the 2001 won tons of gold medals… and the Affairs of the Vine “Pinot Noir Shoot Out” picked it as a top finisher and remarked “very drinkable essences of flowers, forests and distinct cherry cola leading into a soft, silky, ethereal finish. An artful wine.” And yes, I know that the 2002 won lots of gold medals too, and that Wine Enthusiast gave it 91 points, called it one of “California’s Home Runs” in their World Series of Pinot Noir article; and described it as “A wonderfully polished and supple wine that pleases with oodles of rich, smoky, cherry flavors and a smooth, chocolaty mouthfeel; The silky texture and crisp acidity make it complex and rewarding. Really a winner.”
And yes, the Pinot File Newsletter put it 1st on their “2004 First String All-American list after reviewing 750 California Pinots…But as far as hitting the true center of my Pinot Noir bulls eye – This 2003 is the one!! My favorite Pinot to date and when the critics get their hands on it in a few months they will undoubtedly agree! Explosive complexity! Perfumed raspberry, cherry blossom and brown spice aromas lead into rich, juicy black cherry, spicy plums, smoky nuances and hints of sweet cocoa – an array of aromas and flavors that seem to fan out like the plume of a peacock – supple power that finishes like satin. Very limited and very delicious.
AWARDS - 2005
Los Angeles County Fair Wine Competition - Silver
North of the Gate Wine Competition - Silver
Sonoma County Harvest Fair - Silver
Starwine International Wine Competition - Silver
California State Fair Wine Competition - Bronze
Los Angeles County Fair (Limited Cases) - Bronze
Orange County (CA) Fair Wine Competition - Bronze
San Francisco International Wine Competition - Bronze"
Source
"2003 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
The pursuit of creating the perfect Pinot Noir is like the pursuit of the Holy Grail; a few of us believe it exists and we wake up at dawn every day to move one step closer in our quest! To quote from the Oscar winning screenplay Sideways:
MAYA: Why are you so into Pinot? It’s like a thing with you.
MILES: I don’t know. It’s a hard grape to grow. It’s thin-skinned, temperamental, and ripens early. It’s not a survivor like Cabernet that can grow anywhere and thrive even when neglected. Pinot needs constant care and attention and in fact can only grow in specific little tucked-away corners of the world. And only the most patient and nurturing growers can do it really, can tap into Pinot’s most fragile, delicate qualities. Only when someone has taken the time to truly understand its potential can Pinot be coaxed into its fullest expression. And when that happens, its flavors are the most haunting and brilliant and subtle and thrilling and ancient on the planet.
Miles sums it up pretty well. In this discussion I am not talking about just making Pinot Noir, I am talking about creating great Pinot Noir. What is the difference between good Pinot Noir and great Pinot Noir? Balance and complexity!
The balance of rich, dark, full bodied aromas and flavors like black cherries, chocolate, coffee and forest floor mixed with the elegant, sensual perfume of raspberries, brown spices and sweet cherry blossoms…textures that are full and mouthcoating yet silky and lasting…pairing with any dish or perfect on its own!
When true harmony exists, the sensual layers seem to unfold forever! The bigger question lies in how to make not just good, but great Pinot Noir. Simple: everything matters! There are literally hundreds of small steps, none the answer by themselves but all important in the final product…risking oversimplification these are my top 5 rules to keep on course toward greatness.
1) Only grow on sites destined for greatness; hillsides planted with north/south row direction, close proximity to the coast to help lengthen the growing season as long as possible to maximize those complex
flavors, matching the exact rootstalks and a variation of clones specific to the soils and location.
2) Precision viticulture; I do not farm 7 acres, I farm 9274 vines - my philosophy is for every vine to get at least 12 touches during the growing season from pruning to harvest,…things like thinning the crop to boost concentration, positioning shoots to expose clusters to maximum sunlight and airflow, then at the end of the season perhaps positioning them to shade the fruit and protect it from shrivel in the harsh August sun; “field sorting”-cutting off any clusters not exactly perfect, meaning raisins or bird damaged, or any grapes not on exact ripening pace with the others, etc.
3) Pick on the right &*%$#@* day!! There is a day that is exactly the day; as ripe and supple as possible without crossing that very fine line of overripe – Pinot will show it if you pick too early or too late, it takes an obsessive, focused, fanatical instinct to hit that day!
4) Work meticulously smelling, tasting, and talking to the wines each week to be able to handle the wine as little as possible, every action will show and perhaps reduce the prized complexity – never pump the wine - use only gravity or inert gas to gently move the wine.
5) Be an expert at blending – know what true greatness is, through trial and experience use only techniques that work seamlessly with your vineyards, keep each section of the vineyard separate, then through accurate yet artistic trial - assemble the final magical blend that expresses the vintage, that special vineyard location, and the lust of the Pinot Goddess! Perfect Pinot may be elusive but when discovered and embraced, it is truly heaven.
This 2003 Pinot Noir has already received several scores over 90 points from various publications including a score of “Superb 95 – 100” from Gerald Boyd of the San Francisco Chronicle and Wine Review On-line in his review of over 20 Russian River Pinot Noirs but we want you to be the judge! I purposely sent this wine in November because Pinot Noir is the perfect wine for Thanksgiving! It is not too overpowering for the turkey, it has a wonderful spicy note that matches with stuffing and sweet potatoes, creates an outstanding pairing to the cranberries and that velvety texture and balance seem to set the mood just right for the times of Family and good Friends that make this time of year so special! ---
PS--A glass of this Pinot Noir with a turkey sandwich, layered with the extras… Oh yeah!!" - Source