The California Grapevine Scores 2009 Pinot Noirs, Grenache

 

 

92 Points | 2009 Bella Una Pinot Noir, Russian River

Medium-light to medium ruby color with purplish tinges;
attractive, forward, intense, complex, raspberry and ripe black
cherry fruit aroma with spicy notes and hints of cola, sassafras,
and forest floor; medium-full body; forward, rich, slightly
plummy, earthy, well balanced, ripe black cherry fruit
flavors with bright acidity and traces of cinnamon, clove, and
vanilla; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Very highly
recommended. 14.2% alcohol; 395 cases; 100% Pinot Noir
(PN); released August 2011. (Group Score: 16.5 of 20 points,
6 of 11 first-place votes/1 second/0 thirds; My Score: 17 [92
of 100 points], first place)

91 Points | 2009 La Pommeraie Pinot Noir, Russian River

Medium ruby with purplish tinges; attractive,
restrained, herbal, ripe black cherry fruit aroma with hints of
mocha and forest floor; medium to medium-full body; tight,
earthy, black cherry fruit flavors with firm acidity and a silky
mouthfeel; medium to medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste.
Shows some elegance and complexity and should
continue to develop with a few more years of bottle aging.
Very highly recommended. 14.5% alcohol; 396 cases; 100%
PN; released August 2011. (Group Score: 16.4, 3/3/2; My
Score: 17 [91/100], second place)

90 Points | 2009 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Medium-light to medium ruby; attractive, forward, intense, smoky
raspberry and black cherry fruit aroma with notes of clove, cinnamon,
and cocoa; medium-full body; moderately rich, slightly
plummy, ripe black cherry fruit flavors with hints of clove and
cola; medium tannin; lingering aftertaste. Shows distinct and
pleasing varietal character. Very highly recommended. 14.2%
alcohol; 820 cases; 100% PN; released March 2011. (Group
Score: 16.3, 0/3/3; My Score: 17 [90/100], fourth place)
The Grenache was reviewed too:

90 Points | 2009 Sonoma Mountain Grenache

Medium ruby;attractive, forward, earthy, raspberry and Bing cherry fruit aroma with notes of tobacco, dark chocolate, and charred oak;
medium-full to full body; full, rich, textured, spicy, wellfocused,
red berry and cherry fruit flavors with a velvety mouthfeel;
medium-full tannin; lingering aftertaste. Enjoyable to drink now.
Very highly recommended. 14.1% alcohol; 111 cases;
blended with 2% Syrah and 1% Alicante Bouchet;
released August 2011. (Group Score: 16.0, 2/0/1; My Score:
17 [90/100], fourth place)

 

- The California Grapevine • February, 2012