2011 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir River Block- USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (8/8/2019)
– popped and poured –
– tasted non-blind over 3 hours on Day 1; revisited on Day 4 after recorking and refrigerating –
NOSE: expressive, “cool” aromas of crushed raspberry, blueberry, and a hint of pine; fruity; not funky or earthy; no alcohol noticeable initially, but it did become a touch fumey after being open for a couple hours; quite nice, but for the hint of alcohol.
BODY: medium-full bodied; blood red color of medium depth with slight bricking throughout; fine particulate matter present.
TASTE: ripe; glossy; medium-low acidity; plush red fruits; a little oaky; probably best to drink now and over the next few years, but maybe this sails on its fruit beyond that; the alcohol and oak give me some pause re: extended ageing, however. Better on Day 4 — less fruity, and now a touch earthy; revising my drink window to Now – 2029, with best drinking perhaps starting in 2 or 3 years. Revising score up from 90 to 91 on Day 4.
Looking back, I think I agree with you (and I often agree with your tasting notes. I suspect some palate overlap.)
I think the 2008 array generally is delicious…no smoke and one of the more “less big” years. I like them better than the 2009s, now that you mention it. Actually, I think the early '00 years were generally of this type, as well. (2005 is on our happy list, as well.)
I don’t know temperature data, I don’t know if I am a ‘cooler vintage’ person, or not. I better look some stuff up and see.
I’d be curious to hear if investigation reveals anything in particular. Frustratingly, my experience with Rochioli starts with 2009s. Years ago, I tasted a bottle of West Block from '97, I think — and wasn’t that an off vintage? — immediately signed-up for the list, waited forever, then started buying when my name came up. Bought blind for a couple years, popped a couple 09s, and didn’t really like them. Eventually stopped buying their Pinots. Recently-ish stopped buying the whites, too. Surprisingly, I continue to get offers despite not having purchased for what seems like at least a couple years.
2011 Sweetwater pinot popped at a tailgate yesterday. Bears / Packers. Great tailgate. Not so great outcome. No detailed notes. But the Sweetwater is in a very nice place right now. About 1/3 of a bottle left for tonight, hasn’t lost a step.
We popped and poured a 2011 West Block pinot last night and it was fresh and lovely.
Delicate structure, but held up well with a rib eye and baked potato. Still vibrant red fruit and that thing I love about pinot - that difficult to describe aromatic quality that is just not quite part of this world. Still with a primary and secondary bouquet…floral.
At the very end, a touch a rhubarb/strawberry and violet…you could almost have guessed a faint trace of merlot in the mix, but I know that’s wrong.
We took about three hours with it and it did not change much over that time.
I agree with Brian’s drinking window. No downside in the near term!
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