Last week we did an impromptu blind tasting at Vino. Impromptu for us as we usually don't attend tastings on weekdays but since the K's and I's signed up for the tasting and it was a Furlough Friday for me the next day, the Mrs rushed home so that we could make the tasting. The lineup looked like this though Chuck blinded the wines (Chuck's comments are italicized):
2011 Neyers Pinot Noir “Placida Vineyard”
As I have noted several times, Neyers winemaker Tadeo Borchadt is crafting fabulous wines on all fronts. This one hails from the Russian River Valley….unknown clones, but is believed to be Swan. Absolutely lovely.
2011 Paul Lato Pinot Noir “Matinee”
Paul Lato is, as VINO regulars well know, hotter than hot right now. Here is a new “concept”
for him— very much about elegance & suvae-ability.
2010 Knez Pinot Noir “Anderson Valley”
If you haven’t tasted Anthony Filiberti’s (of Anthill Frams) handiwork, here is your chance.
Peter Knez owns BOTH the Cerise & Demuth vineyards on the eastern hillsides of the Anderson Valley
.
2011 Drew Pinot Noir “Gatekeeper’s”
A VERY lovely, delicious Pinot from FOUR top echelon
Anderson Valley vineyards, including Morning Dew.
Chuck simply mentioned that 2 wines used the typical Dijon clones found throughout Cali - 115,667 and 777 - while two wines used alternate Pinot clones. And I finally guessed which wines were which... of course, I'm still keeping the day job. My fave of the evening was the Neyers which had one of the most unusual Pinot aroma I've encountered, very herbal even with touched of okra but the palate was unmistakable leaning towards Old World Pinot, ie Burgundy. It was also the Mrs' fave for the evening. Of course once the formal tasting was concluded, tasters started uncorking fast and furious. I uncorked a 2001 Ryan Cellars Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir (I told everyone it was my first vintage and that my middle name was Marguerite... but you can call me Peggy).
I also uncorked a 2002 Lequin Santenay 1er Cru Le Passe-Temps
We started with the special Grilled Hamakua Mushroom Flatbread
Moving on to the Hamakua Alii Mushroom-Ricotta Cheese Ravioli
Then the Homemade Fettucine with cemini mushroom and wild boar ragu
Other wines uncorked included a 2005 Drew "Gatekeepers" Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
A 2009 Drew Morning Dew Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
A 2010 Cost D'Oro Riserva Oro Rojo Pinot Noir
A 2008 Kistler Cuvee Catherine Occidental Station Vineyard Pinot Noir
A 2005 Dierberg Santa Maria Valley and 2005 Dierberg "Steven" Vineyard Pinot Noir
A 2006 Brewer Clifton Lindsay's Santa Rita Hills Pinot Noir
A 2009 W.H. Smith Maritime Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Along with a Clape Vin de Amis Syrah
There actually were several more wines... no, make that a LOT more wines uncorked but I didn't get a photo of all of the bottles... probably due to brain fatigue from excess Pinot Noir. The K's were doing a double celebration, 15th anniversary and 25 years in business so they uncorked a 1999 Jacques Selosse Grand Cru Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut... probably the last bottle on the island! Doomo Mr and Mrs K!
Once again another great wine tasting at Vino. And to think that we almost didn't attend...
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