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Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County
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Tuesday November 17, 2009 |
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Speaker: Dave Muret, Executive Director Santa Lucia Highlands Wine Artisans
While the tasting focused on the exceptional 2007 vintage Pinot Noir from the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation, it included the 2006 and 2008 vintages as well. Dave Muret, director of the S.L.H. winegrowers’ group, took us on a tasting tour of the region and an exploration of the vineyard terroir that makes this small Monterey County AVA one of the best places on the planet to grow world-class Pinot. It was a unique opportunity to taste side-by-side five different vintners take on Pinot Noir from the famed “Garys’ Vineyard,” the well-known collaboration between Gary Pisoni and Gary Franscioni. Pisoni – Lucia “Estate” 2007 was the favorite for Flight I. McIntyre “Estate” 2007 placed second. Siduri “Garys’ ”Vineyard” 2008 was the favorite for Flight II, “Garys’ Vineyard”, Pisoni-Lucia “Garys’ Vineyard” 2007 was the second favorite. All the wines showed well and demonstrated how special the Santa Lucia Highlands Appellation is for Pinot Noir.
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| Flight I |
Votes % |
Full Retail Price $ |
Morgan “Double L. Vineyard” 2007
Organic vineyard. Lovely fruit. Some tannin. Long finish. |
1 |
$60.00 |
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Pessagno “Four Boys Vineyard” 2007
Bigger, more complex, 75% French oak barrels. Ripe style, long finish. |
3 |
$55.00 |
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McIntyre “Estate” 2007
Lovely, big nose, lighter, fruit, cherries, more Burgundian style. Lower alcohol, 13.9%. The second favorite of this flight. |
8 |
$45.00 |
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Pelerin “Rosella’s Vineyard” 2005
Roses in nose. More evolved. More French style. Elegant. Will age. |
5 |
$55.00 |
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Lucienne “Lone Oak Vineyard” 2006
Lean, low yield, not as forward fruit as 2007. 50% new French oak, 50% older French oak, 14.2 % alcohol. |
5 |
$55.00 |
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Paraiso “West Terrace” 2007
Big nose, nice fruit, cherry, early ripening. Less alcohol. |
0 |
$40.00 |
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Pisoni – Lucia “Estate” 2007
Very ripe and lush with intense fruitiness and bold flavors, This vintage has raspberries, cranberries, earth and smoke all mixed with classic Pinot character. Medium body, seductive Pinot is meant for consumption over the next 2- 4 years. This is the favorite of Flight I.
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10 |
$60.00 |
| Flight II: “Garys’ Vineyard” |
Votes |
Full Retail Price $ |
Morgan “Garys’ Vineyard” 2007
Delicious. Big nose, plumy fruit, good structure. Less tannin. |
5 |
$65.00 |
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Roar “Garys’ Vineyard” 2007
Lovely aromas of charcoal, black currants, raspberries and plums. Full-bodied, complex, great, not available in NYC. |
5 |
$60.00 |
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Siduri “Garys’ Vineyard” 2008
Big fruit, full bodied. More sugar on the palate. Needs aging. Delicious. It was a surprise that most of the Tasters preferred the 2008 vintage over the 2007 vintage. The favorite of “Garys’ Vineyard” Flight. |
12 |
$55.00 |
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Testarossa “Garys ‘Vineyard” 2007
Less tannin, fruit forward. Old school style. |
3 |
$55.00 |
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Pisoni-Lucia “Garys’ Vineyard” 2007
Violets, roses and lavender in the nose. Rich, dark berry, plum and black cherry fruit with sweet spices in the nose and palate. The oak is subtle though it leaves a hint of smoke, and vanilla. Enjoy this wine now, though it should improve with a few years in the cellar. The second favorite of ”Garys’ Vineyard” Flight.
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8 |
$60.00 |
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