2007 Black Kite – “Stony Terrace” Pinot Noir

Paul and I received our 2007 shipment of Black Kite Cellars complete lineup late last year and we have been patiently laying them down in the cellar. The other night we broke out one of their 2007 Stony Terrace and it was drinking very well. Black Kite cellars is a family owned and run artisan producer of hand crafted, terrior driven Pinto Noir. The winery was established in 2003 and currently produces three single vineyard, block designated bottling’s. The three single vineyards Redwoods Edge, Stony Terrace, and River Turn, are each planted in four acre plots, with each displaying the diversity of their own soil types, micro climates and clone type. The Kite’s Rest is a magnificent blend of the three single vineyard offerings of which I reviewed on the site back on November last year.

Winery: Black Kite

Vintage: 2007

Vineyard: Stony Terrace

Notes: Soil type is gravel/loam, elevation is 217 feet, Pommard clone on 3309, and only 194 cases were made.

Tasting: Black cherry, black plum, forest floor, tobacco, black pepper, and dark mushroom, beautiful floral bouquet with roses being the most prominent followed by a hint of spanish cedar, chocolate, toasty oak and a nice minerality. The wine has elegant balance with with a nice weight/mouthfeel, and has a very generous clean finish. This wine is drinking well now, but IMO will continue to improve with more time in the bottle.

Rating: 92 JH