2001 Kistler Pinot Noir Kistler Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (11/24/2007)
Opened the day after Thanksgiving, this was everything I had hoped it would be. Not your typical, modern-day California Pinot with candied fruit and elevated alcohol, but rather a balance of natural red and black fruit with spice, earth and just a touch of vanilla. The palate was smooth but lively, with plenty of acidity to balance the fruit, and no trace of alcohol anywhere. Just a delicious wine, that could age well for a while, but is immensely enjoyable to drink now.
The Kistler was preceeded by a 2004 August Kesseler Estate Riesling Trocken (Rheingau) that had fine balance of fruit and acid with solid minerality. It was a little short on the finish, but for the $12 or so that this wine ran for on release (no idea what this particular bottle cost) it was a fine bargain in very engaging German Riesling Trocken.