- 2000 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (3/2/2011)
This wine still looks young. It had been 9 years since I tried this or at least have any record of, and time has not turned this into a blockbuster but it has evolved into a subtle beauty. The nose is restrained. Dried fruits & flowers with a little tomato. What I liked about this wine is it never tired me out. Worked well with each bite of food. The palate shows dried cherries. The acids are solid and the tannins are almost gone. Great mouthfeel. Not a lot of complexity with this wine. By no means is this falling apart but it is hard to imagine it improving. (91 pts.) - 2003 Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley (3/1/2011)
In 2005 I thought this wine would get to middle age fine although my notes said to drink around 2009. When I tried it last year I was concerned as noted here http://www.cellartracker.com/event.asp?iEvent=10922 I had forgotten about that recent taste when I grabbed a bottle to drink. Popped and poured. My first thought after smelling it was that something was off. Agressive cherry cough syrup. Ultra ripe. Alcohol and heat were at the front. With some air it did even out a bit but still ultra ripe. Again the wine is agressive on the palate. There is ripe fruit, decent acid and tannins but they are no match for the alcohol. At the front and middle this tastes good. Like a Kosta Browne or Loring but the finish is bitter. With each sip there is a moment of enjoyment but no follow through. Label says Alch % 14.4 but I would guess it is closer to %15.4. I normally avoid the alcohol % discussion but this is an example of pinot not handling it well. I never thought this wine was going to change the world but I did think it was going good to very good. I got this one wrong. As did BH & IWC. (82 pts.) - 1997 Flora Springs Trilogy - USA, California, Napa Valley (2/21/2011)
This was never my favorit bottle of Trilogy but it has remained solid even if it never became that interesting. It is far from dead but I think its best days are now done. Aromas of dried cherries and leather with some flowery elements. Easy to drink with food. Tart acids and light tannin. Not so full bodied like in its youth. Quite nice to drink. The finish is a bit dried out. (88 pts.)
Cheers,
Jason