2006 Dell Dotto Chinghiale Vineyard

Had this wine with Carol and Anthony on Sunday afternoon.  The color of this wine was quite unique.  The color is more dark than you would think a Pinot should be.

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.

2005 Spottswoode Estate Cabernet

Well, this tasting is a little old, but was very nice and unique, in that we all took notes on the wine (actually Carol wrote the notes, as we all tasted).
Obviously, this wine is a top a performer and as such, we have had it several more times since this tasting.  It is always special and most of the components are the same varying only by the mood of the drinker.  Interesting how everyone had something a little different to add to the puzzle, but some of the many puzzle pieces look and sound the same.

2006 Bergstrom – Pinot Noir “Bergstrom Vineyard”

Last night Paul and I with the usual group of passionate Oenophiles enjoyed this lovely Pinot from Oregon in the Dundee Hill’s AVA. The vineyard is only 9 years old but is producing some really world class juice.  Bergstrom is a certified Biodynamic wine producer since 2004 and has been growing their grapes organically since the first planting in 1999. Biodynamic agriculture is a method of organic farming that treats the vineyard or farm as unified and individual organisms, emphasizing balance and interrelationship of the soil, vines, and animals as a closed system.

2007 Black Kite “Kite’s Rest” Pinot Noir

Paul and I recently received our 2007 shipment of Black Kite Cellars complete lineup. We tasted all four of the 2007 release that night along with a 2001 Willaims Seylem “Rochioli River Block”. Black Kite cellars is a family owned and run artisan producer of hand crafted, terrior driven Pinto Noir.

2004 Nickel & Nickel “Witz End” Cabernet

I recently enjoyed the second vintage of Witz End Cabernet from Nickel & Nickel with Paul and it is drinking quite nicely and I have seen it evolve over the last year. We both agreed that it would improve for another year or so in the bottle. The Witz End vineyard is located on the Rutherford Bench in the southern part of Rutherford. The vineyard was planted in 2001. The soil is composed of well-drained gravelly clay loam.

2004 Sea Smoke Southing Pinot Noir

You would think that having more access to the internet than ever before, we would never go a whole week without posting, but it happens… Having been a week or so since our last post, I thought I might put up some of these notes that are stacking up.  Jimmy is in LA having all the fun and I am exiled to staying in Houston and drink some of the greatest wines in the world… poor me! NOT! Poor Jimmy…

2000 Jones Cabernet 1.5L

On the eve of Jimmy’s departure to LA, we all got to together to throw a little party for Carrie or “Nadine” as some of us like to call her. We had some great food that Diana cooked and had some great wine, one of which was a prize I brought back from Napa. A 2000 Jones Cabernet, signed by Heidi P. Barret herself, was opened and as you could expect, we were all impressed.

The color was deep dark garnet color which was an indication of the beautiful nose. Dark plum and cherry, white pepper, bell pepper, leather, tobacco, and an ever so slight hint of oak.

2005 Astrales “Tempranillo”

Had the opportunity to drink this very low production Astrales Tempranillo or Tinto Fino from Spain’s Ribera Del Duro region, that is the best 100% Tempranillo I have ever had, hands down.
The grapes for this wine are harvested from the oldest vineyard in the Bodega.

2003 Oriel “Midnight Rambler” Cabernet

Had this wine with Paul about 2 months ago. Midnight Rambler is named for after the winemaker who walks the vineyards the night of the harvest, checking the grapes for perfect ripeness. Made by Winemaker Gerry Rowland; Low-yielding clay, loam and gravel soils from the famed Rutherford bench north of Oakville, California.