Six California Pinots from Six Regions

Cal Pinot Noir
Six Pinots from six regions

Goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, these six Pinots are rare and outstanding. But we go a step further with these Pinot picks. I ask you to taste place as well as grape. In my notes below, in bold, are the descriptions that are "classic" to their respective vineyard and California wine region. More than most assorted case suggestions you find in Back Room's weekly emails, this is one to consider. It's Pinot Noir appreciation week at Back Room Wines! A note on 2007 Pinots. They are very good. It's a vintage of bright fruit, tension, complexity and balance for California Pinots. Most of them, these six included, need air. Judgment must be withheld until 30 minutes of wine glass or decanter time.

ANTHILL FARMS Pinot Noir "Demuth Vineyard"

Anderson Valley 2007 $51 net

The wonder team of Pinot Noir, Anthill Farms, has just released their 2007s. Demand has cut the supply to the purely altruistic wine retailer, but at least our small allotment is more than most. Wild red berries & plums, Asian and Indian spice, fine tannins and earth. Opens up and gets "sweeter" after 20 minutes. Complex, contemplative and fine. Of the six Pinots in today's fine line-up, this wine MOST needs a year+ of cellar time for the full effect.

SOJOURN Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast 2007 $37
Particularly coy and seemingly "light" at first, took 15 minutes for cinnamon, clove-studded orange and red rose petals to come forward. The palate is more pretty than powerful, with raspberry coulis, plum tarts and wild strawberry fruits. On the spice/earth side, red curry, tobacco and white pepper. An appropriate analogy, this being U.S. (Golf) Open week...this has a quiet intensity a la Tiger Woods.
My pick this week, BTW: Geoff Ogilvy.

RELIC Pinot Noir "Alder Springs"
Mendocino County 2007

$42

Relic is a tiny, artisan producer you may know from previous BRW emails and promotions. Like all their wines, "Alder Springs" Pinot Noir, from northern Mendocino County, lays it all out there for us. Rich, fruit-forward, juicy wine. Nose is kirsch, cola, cocoa and blueberries. The flavor is dark berries & cherries, cocoa, dark tobacco and cloves. Rich, full-bodied and smooth tannins. Rare and quite special. 135 cases made.

ROAR Pinot Noir "Garys' Vineyard" Santa Lucia Highlands 2007 $50

The Franscioni family started ROAR in 2001 "to make small lots of wine that are a pure reflection of the Santa Lucia Highlands and in particular the signature flavors of our vines." Of the last five vintages of ROAR Garys', this 2007 is the most complex and contemplative. Deep ruby color. Nose is anise, blackberry, new leather, rhubarb and lavender. In the mouth it's very dense with chewy berry, walnut and cola flavors. Firm yet balanced tannins at the moment. More dark fruit and some toasty oak on the finish. This will blossom by the end of 2009. 75% new French oak, 650 case made.

CAPIAUX Pinot Noir "Widdoes Vineyard"
Russian River

Valley 2007 $40
Sean Capiaux's single-vineyard, tiny-lot Pinot Noirs are excellent. We're happy to offer you the "Widdoes" Russian River Pinot today. Brooding and beguiling nose of rare beef, earth, soil, soy sauce and wild red fruits. Excellent balance of red Pinot fruits, earth, silky texture and good acidity. More "Burgundian" than most Cal Pinots. Long finish that marries juicy, lush Pinot fruit and persistent flavors of the earth. About 300 cases made.

TYLER Pinot Noir "La Encantada"
Santa Rita Hills 2007 $50 net
Featured two weeks' ago in this email. It's so good, and special, that it deserves more fans in the short time that it will be around. "La Encantada" is an organic vineyard in western Santa Rita Hills, Santa Barbara County. Wonderfully rich and succulent, keeping spot-on Pinot Noir character. Licorice, allspice, sweet dark cherries, bold and beautiful. The Tyler, along with the Relic "Alder Springs," are the two Pinots drinking best now. We're very excited to have this. 72 cases made.

Pinot Noir Case
Two of each: $500 (Includes 10% discount)

Pinot Noir Half Case
One of each: $260 (Includes 5% discount)

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