Pinot Noir Wine Dinner

Double-blind tasting dinner held Saturday 1 March 2014, and hosted by Leonard & Jill Taylor.  Thanks to everyone for contributing excellent wines, and thanks to our hosts for a wonderful dinner.

Menu:
Grilled Pork Tenderloin
Golden Potato & Porcini Gratin
Brussels Sprouts salad
Home-made Key Lime Pie (thanks, Joe!)

Whites:

Bruno Giacosa Spumante Extra Brut 2006
My first time for this wine.  I like it.  Deftly executed, very lithe aperitif with minimal effervescence.  Made from pinot noir from Lombardia.    

 

 

Kartauserhof Riesling Achleiten 2007

The Achleiten vineyard is one of my favorites from Wachau.  On this evening, the 2007 from Kartauserhof seemed to be a bit closed down.  Still a good one.

 

Clos D’Agon Blanco 2010

A tasty blend of 45% Roussanne, 35% Viognier, and 20% Marsanne from Peter Sisseck.

 

Reds:

 

Ryan Pisoni Vineyards 1999

Miniscule 119 case production and about as under-the-radar as you can get. WOTN…. Could’ve been a Burgundy.  Gorgeous mellow tart raspberry … smooth as silk tannins with a most alluring mushroom + earth component.  I’d love to be able to find this stunner…

Talley Rosemary’s Vineyard 1999

This is the oldest Rosemary’s I believe that I have had.  Was pleasantly surprised at how well this wine had held up.  Still good-to-go for another year or so.  Well balanced and delightful … two thumbs up.

Vino Bambino 2000

Tied as WOTN (for me, at least) …a dead ringer for a village-level Burgundy.  Stunning aromatics for such a light colored wine (almost rose in color).   One of the very first wines made by Morgan Twain-Peterson… absolutely brilliant.

Rochioli West Block 2002

A personal favorite along with the Ryan Pisoni.  Rochioli never fails to please.  This wine gained momentum over the evening and really showed well.

Beaux Freres Beaux Freres Vineyard 2002

This is a wonderful, contemplative wine paired with food on its own, although it was a bit subdued on this evening...  Very well balanced and attractive.

Ambullneo Vineyards Bulldog Reserve 2004

Delightful blend with majority of the fruit sourced from Solomon Hills vineyard. Plenty of life left in this excellent wine.

Kanzler Estate Sonoma Coast 2005

The most fruit-forward wine of the evening and registering as one of the youngest on everyone’s palate… New World pinot noir personified.  Lovely anise component that is typical of Steve Kanzler’s wines.

Sea Smoke Southing 2006

Always a very beautifully made wine.  Very well balanced and aging very nicely… approachable now.