Let's start with the favorite of the evening, the Kanzler, which has been lauded before on this blog. For me, the 2005 is still considered a reference point for Kanzler vineyard-derived pinot noir. This wine seduces from the start with incredible purity of fruit--- almost overwhelming even at 8 years of age --- it clearly has a long life ahead. Even with the massive fruit, it is still a very well-balanced California pinot with the gorgeous earthiness typical of the Kanzler vineyard. Check out this video that Steve Kanzler recorded... it is a tour of his vineyard (he planted it himself in 1996) with fascinating detail on the pinot noir clones, soils, methods, etc...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57jSSynGUvQ&noredirect=1
Next in the line-up in order of preference is the venerable Martinelli Biondi Home Ranch, again a wine that has been a favorite here. Nicely balanced fruit and acidity... lovely and not at all tiring on the palate ... I find this interpretation of the Biondi vineyard more burgundian in nature that some of the other Martinelli cuvees.
This is the first time we've had the Radio-Coteau version of Savoy Vineyard. To be honest, it is a bit underwhelming. Savoy Vineyard is a northernmost outpost for pinot noir in (all the way up in Mendocino County)... gorgeous pine-scented nose and a bit of menthol in the palate... nice raspberry fruit up front, but ultimately a one-dimensional effort (hollow on the mid-palate), especially for such a great vintage. In my experience, the definitive cuvee from Savoy Vineyard is made by Stewart Dorman of Adrian Fog Winery.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UTUFcFHXJ-o
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