2004 Lynmar Winery Pinot Noir Russian River Valley California. 14.4% alcohol. New Vine Selection. Andrea Robinson Wine Club. $36.
Ruby red color, medium to deep hue, complex aromas of fruit, smoke, spice and earth, rich cherry and berry taste with spice and smoke notes, medium mouth feel, light oakiness, smooth well evolved tannins, long finish, with the fruit underlying everything but the spice and smoke spiking and subsiding -- very interesting sipping wine for two hours after the meal. This worked beautifully with the bitter elements of a broccoli rabe pasta dish -- see FLDG for the recipe. 4*+. [I think this wine might develop for three or four years, but it's delicious now.]
Notes:
Immer's take: "Purple-tinged ruby color and a hint of translucence that’s typical of the light-pigmented Pinot grape; layered fragrance of dried cherry, smoke black tea leaf and a bit of dried orange peel. The palate is plump but slightly tangy cherry (think Jolly Rancher rather than Lifesaver cherry), with silky tannin and a haunting smoky/tarry quality on the finish. There’s greater fruit intensity here, and the dish I’ve paired has the bitter element of broccoli rabe to compliment the smokiness. Having tasted some older Lynmar Pinots, I think you can easily cellar this wine for 3-5 years."
The Lynmar Winery website: "The bright and youthful color of this vintage is particularly notable, with greater depth and more violet than either 2002 or 2003. Fragrant red fruit aromas of raspberry, wild strawberry, and pie cherry are complexed by accents of cola, cocoa, and subtle herbal notes. A dark fruit quality and some exotic spice are also beginning to emerge. The acidity is balanced and typical of the crisp Lynmar house style, yet with a softer “feel” that will allow the wine to show off on its own or with food. Tannins are round at entry with a proper mild grainy grip in the finish that bodes well for short-term cellaring. We encourage those with patience to stash a few bottles and enjoy its evolution over the next 2-3 years."
There are some excellent food and wine matching recipes on the site at the Wines: Food Pairings page.