WTN: Leonetti, Swan

[Jenise]

On Thursday, a friend here in the neighborhood called and said he'd just found a '98 Leonetti Merlot he didn't know he still had--could he bring it over so we could try it together? Does Jenise every say no to a question like that???? He predicted it would be gone, but it was anything but. It was medium bodied and nicely in late middle age with good red fruit, acidity and some leathery notes--overall, very understated and classy. These wines do need to be drunk, as the fruit started to fade in our second pours, but while it lasted it made a good case for why Leonetti, once one of Washington's only wineries, remains one of the best.

Last night we had some very spicy tacos for dinner, with which we drank a bit of champagne (NV Thierry Triolet). Afterward, still watching the opening ceremonies, we decided we needed a bit of something red so we opened a 2002 Swan Saralee's Vineyard pinot noir from California's Russian River Valley. Not at all typical Russian River but very typically Swan quality, this wine's very youthful for an 8 year old and showing well right now: complex red fruit with lots of tomato skin and tomato leaf on the nose, some fresh thyme too. Builds in the glass with time, showing a touch of black raspberry on the nose and palate. Reminds me a bit of the Steiner pinots Rod used to make (the vineyard was sold and replanted, I believe). No hurry to drink--could continue to improve, in fact, for 4-5 more years.

Last had that Swan 2+ years back... we really liked it then. Maybe now is a good time to open my last bottle!!

Nobody doesn't like Saralee?

I wish Leonetti were available around here.

-Paul W.

We popped our last 2001 Saralee the night before last. Still young as you say, with vibrant red fruit. I actually DO think it sings RRV on the nose, with the spiciness and all. Walks a very good balancing act of upfront fruit without it being over the top. An exciting bottle of wine to drink.

[Jenise]

We popped our last 2001 Saralee the night before last. Still young as you say, with vibrant red fruit. I actually DO think it sings RRV on the nose, with the spiciness and all. Walks a very good balancing act of upfront fruit without it being over the top. An exciting bottle of wine to drink.

Do you think that, blind, you'd have guessed RRV? Sure it had some spice, but body-wise it wasn't as fleshy as most RRV pinots and too, it had that tomato leaf thing that's more Santa Barbara-ish to me.

I have a Saralee Pinot Noir from Eric Ross. The first one I opened rather overpowered the chicken or whatever I had with it so I am thinking I will need to plan a specific entree for this second bottle. Grilled meat might working but I'm not grilling at this time of year. Maybe I will pair it with pork chop in a tangy sauce or sweet and sour pork?

We popped our last 2001 Saralee the night before last. Still young as you say, with vibrant red fruit. I actually DO think it sings RRV on the nose, with the spiciness and all. Walks a very good balancing act of upfront fruit without it being over the top. An exciting bottle of wine to drink.

Do you think that, blind, you'd have guessed RRV? Sure it had some spice, but body-wise it wasn't as fleshy as most RRV pinots and too, it had that tomato leaf thing that's more Santa Barbara-ish to me.

I think from the nose, yes, I would have first guessed RRV. I agree that body-wise, the mouthfeel is not what many RRV Pinots offer, and I'm not sure about the tomato leaf note.. ..Don't remember getting that... were you eating in the garden??

[Jenise]

It's been unseasonably warm here, Jim, but not THAT warm!