2005 Darioush “Pinot Noir”

Diana and I really enjoyed this Pinot with friends at Brix wine bar in Houston, TX the other day. This was my first occasion to have the Pinot from Darioush, but have been a big fan of their Cabernet for quite a while. Darioush focuses on limited production red Bordeaux varietals and small lots of Chardonnay, Viognier, and Shiraz. Steve Devitt is the winemaker and vineyard manager and believes in a minimalist intervention approach to making wines that displays the finest qualities of each of the Darioush vineyards unique soils and micro-climates. Darioush is also known for their use of heavy glass bottles which can be deceiving, leaving you to think their is one last drop of wine to be poured when their is not.

Wine Details:

Winery: Darioush

Vintage: 2005

Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir

Appellation: Russian River, Sonoma County CA.

Notes: Vineyard is located off of Vine Hill Road in Russian River and is four acres in size. 425 cases produced. Aged 15 months in new Francois Freres French oak barrels from Troncais. The fruit was hand harvested in small 28 lb. baskets and the berries were sorted by hand and pressed with 15% whole grape clusters. The finished product is unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting: On the nose dark cherry, dark plum, blackberry, currant, bell pepper, black pepper, leather, Forrest floor, bacon fat, dark mushroom, and rose watr, with a hint of vanilla, toasted oak, and cedar box. Elegant, very well balanced and refined. the wine is round with nice weight and bright vibrant fruit and acidity and nice mid palate. The finish is generously long and pleasing.

Rating: 92 JH