WTN: 2 06 California Pinots
Posted: Sat Nov 10, 2012 4:12 pmFrom two different evenings:
Last night:
06 Peay Sonoma Coast "Scallop Shelf" 14.2%
(I first had this, my introduction to Peay, in Monterey at Passionfish (great wine-friendly restaurant) four years ago and it's drinking even better, even bigger now.)
Slight reddening, but no real bricking. Distinctive nose of dark fruits, rhubarb, salinity, dust, clove.
In the mouth, big body and texture, heavy, but not too much; taste on the very darkest end of pinot: plum, star anise, slight soy, stone; finish goes on and on. Though varied, maybe a little primary in its composition, all in the bass register, but still young. Distinctive wine and always a treat to drink. A-
Last weekend:
06 Calera Mt. Harlan "Reed" 14.4%
Bright red, almost watermelon colored
Nose: Red fruits, pastille, violets, burgundian; not a hint of alcohol despite the high percentage'
Bright, acid, dances on the tongue; raspberry, cherry, a little forest floor, herbal (sage?) moving slightly toward vegetal as it sits in the glass. Tight, finely focused flavors throughout--I guess what people mean by "cut"?-- that I find characteristic of all Jensen's wines. Finish is long, but not exceptionally so. IMHO, easy to mistake for a very good village level Burgundy. As with all of his, a "go to" wine. B+
Last night:
06 Peay Sonoma Coast "Scallop Shelf" 14.2%
(I first had this, my introduction to Peay, in Monterey at Passionfish (great wine-friendly restaurant) four years ago and it's drinking even better, even bigger now.)
Slight reddening, but no real bricking. Distinctive nose of dark fruits, rhubarb, salinity, dust, clove.
In the mouth, big body and texture, heavy, but not too much; taste on the very darkest end of pinot: plum, star anise, slight soy, stone; finish goes on and on. Though varied, maybe a little primary in its composition, all in the bass register, but still young. Distinctive wine and always a treat to drink. A-
Last weekend:
06 Calera Mt. Harlan "Reed" 14.4%
Bright red, almost watermelon colored
Nose: Red fruits, pastille, violets, burgundian; not a hint of alcohol despite the high percentage'
Bright, acid, dances on the tongue; raspberry, cherry, a little forest floor, herbal (sage?) moving slightly toward vegetal as it sits in the glass. Tight, finely focused flavors throughout--I guess what people mean by "cut"?-- that I find characteristic of all Jensen's wines. Finish is long, but not exceptionally so. IMHO, easy to mistake for a very good village level Burgundy. As with all of his, a "go to" wine. B+