07 is strong across the state for Pinot. So far it seem best to me in Sonoma and Santa Cruz Mountains but that is probably picking nits. Santa Rite Hills are also top notch. The vintage is very strong.
Everyone I’ve spoken with seems very happy with their '07s. I know Dan is really delighted with himself over the '07 releases. [thank_you.gif] [rolleyes.gif]
We just bottled our '07 Sta. Rita Hills Fiddlestix Pinots 3 weeks ago. Awesome. Juicy, lush dark fruit (but not ripe or overly sweet), fills the entire mouth finishing long with extremely balanced acidity. Yummy!
I may be a bit biased (!) . . . . but objectively speaking, it really was a great vintage, and the wines I’ve had in bottle and barrel have generally been outstanding . . .
The pinots I’ve had from both the Sta Rita Hills and Santa Maria Valley are have been stellar - great structure, wonderful fruit composition without being ‘over the top’, and generally lower in alc than the 06’s (for those who care about these things . . .).
It will certainly be a ‘breakout vintage’ for red rhone varieties in the area - I’ve had some really great grenaches, syrahs, and blends . . .
For those who want a more in depth look, and taste some future releases, you might want to check out one of the upcoming Santa Barbara County futures events . . .
April 25th - Elements Rest in SB is putting on a futures event at the Courthous
May 9th - WineHound is putting on a futures event at the Natural History Museum
June 6th (I believe) - Wine House in LA is putting on a SB futures event somewhere in Santa Monica IIRC
Let me know if you need more details on any of these . . .
Cheers!
I personally like my 06 as much or more than the 07. The wines are not as fruit forward.