2005 Salinia Pinot W.E. Bottoms

WINE TALK
1

Several years ago, I was surprised to see the name Salinia on a newly released wine. The winemaker/producer was the assistant to a highly regarded winemaker/producer - I’m 72 and apologize as I can’t remember who. But it made me want to give it a try. Salinia was a mythological land located on an island of land that had previously sat between the San Andreas Earthquake Fault and the California coast and had broken away.

One of the greatest California pinots I’ve ever tasted was produced by Salinia. They only sell in 3-packs. I hated the 1st bottle I opened of that particular vintage (not the 2005 I opened tonight). I disliked the 2nd bottle a year or so later. And absolutely loved the 3rd. Each vintage of their tiny production has not been good on release. This, the 2005 W.E. Bottoms, vintage was the same. I’m liking this bottle but disliked my previous samples, although it still has an unusual flavor profile. I will continue to purchase whatever I’m offered by Salinia. But will cellar all of them longer. Has anyone else tried this brand or vintage?

2

Tasted with Kevin at the winery earlier this year and was hugely impressed. Loved everything from his ‘breakfast wine’ to his ‘brunch wine’ to his ‘lunch wine’. I admire what he’s doing with the Natural Process Alliance and wish we had his canteens available in New York.

He re-released the '04s and '05s earlier this year and I’m looking forward to tasting. I drank half a case of the '07 Chard over the last few months and loved every bottle. Recent bottles of both the '07 Pinot and Syrah were great but still somewhat primary.

3

He’s clearly able to see much farther into the future than I can. I once sat beside Michael Havens at a port tasting at Masters of Food and Wine at Highlands Inn. We chatted as we walked back to our rooms. I said something about it being difficult, making a wine and not knowing for a year or more if it would come out okay or not. He said a winemaker is lucky if he gets 20 shots at it in his lifetime. (Someone asked for Salinia’s link. Here it is - http://www.salinia.com/)