WTNs: 2003 Siduri Garys Pinot & 2007 Scott Paul Audrey

• 2003 Siduri Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (5/8/2010)
  We opened this early in the evening, pre-dinner but saved some for dinner as well. Not a lot going on aromatically and at first I found the heat distracting. Was we got some food I didn't notice the heat and the alcohol balanced nicely. It is starting to show some age but not showing signs of fading. The wine is good but simple. A hallmark of Garys'. I look forward to trying more recent vintages (2007+), from various producers, in a few years to see what vine age and experience with the vineyard brings to the wines. (87 pts.)
  
  
• 2007 Scott Paul Cellars Pinot Noir Audrey - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills (4/1/2010)
  Served blind next to a mystery 2007 Rhys / Had over 2 nights.
  Much more red in color. Earthy funky red fruits on the nose. Really starts to open up after 30 minutes in the glass. In the second night the aromas were more woody and vegatal. Not showing as much fruit. A much leaner wine as expected when compared to the Rhys. More earth, minerals and tannin. The acidity is a way up front right not but still in balance. I look forward to this 3-5 years. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Why do you keep torturing yourself with Pinots from AVAs you know you don't like????? Is it for science????

We need to have lunch again soon.

Well the Siduri was a purchase that was part of my search to find a good Cali pinot. 2002 and 3 I grabbed a lot of Cali pinots from producers and areas that were new to me. Right about then I made friends with the OC crew which was, unfortunately for me, over flowing with SLH pinot. I never needed to buy a bottle.

J

[Jenise]

[list][*]2003 Siduri Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (5/8/2010)
We opened this early in the evening, pre-dinner but saved some for dinner as well. Not a lot going on aromatically and at first I found the heat distracting. Was we got some food I didn't notice the heat and the alcohol balanced nicely. It is starting to show some age but not showing signs of fading. The wine is good but simple. A hallmark of Garys'.

Hmmm...never thought of Garys' that way. Or at least, maybe I did in the beginning. My first exposure to Garys' fruit were Brian Loring's earliest efforts as in his second year, I believe, he hit the map when he made just a Garys' and Clos Pepe. I preferred the Clos Pepe, but looking back I know the real problem was that Garys' was all about red fruits while I was preferring darker. I've now swung the other direction and find Garys' pinots among my favorites, especially five-six years out. I love the way they age and show a lot of mineral character.

Btw, nice to see you here again.

Jenise.. being anti-SLH is now a hallmark of Jason's. He thrives on being a curmudgeon about almost any wine from that region.

I enjoy Garys', but I also really like Rosella's fruit as well, which is bright red with tell-tale grapefruit acidity. Miner actually makes a good example of the latter, but so too does August West and A.P. Vin.

[Jenise]

Jenise.. being anti-SLH is now a hallmark of Jason's. He thrives on being a curmudgeon about almost any wine from that region.

I enjoy Garys', but I also really like Rosella's fruit as well, which is bright red with tell-tale grapefruit acidity. Miner actually makes a good example of the latter, but so too does August West and A.P. Vin.

We're on the same page. What you say is what made Rosella's another favorite can't-pass-up-any-bottle-from-that-vineyard Calpinot for me, and the August West version in '03 was the wine that made me realize I'd made the leap to red fruit.

I still have 1 bottle of the 2003 AW Rosella's. May be time to revisit. Maybe with Jason...

Jenise.. being anti-SLH is now a hallmark of Jason's. He thrives on being a curmudgeon about almost any wine from that region.

Well you need to be fair to me. One of my all time favorite vineyards in Cali for both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is in SLH. Sleepy Hollow. I don't think I have ever heard someone deny that Garys' generally produces simple wines. Tasty but simple. But the vines are young. I have communicated with Adam Lee many times about this. Although I have never heard him say the wines are simple, he has commented (paraphrased) that with vine age and knowledge of the vineyard we will see better and better wines in the years to come.

Although I am not always a fan of Rosella's, I can say it is a very distinctive and unique vineyard. I do have an 03 Siduri Rosellas so if you want to pair it with the AW. I also have the 04 AW Rosella's.

Jason