If I were to encourage Martin to try a CA producer he doesn’t own now it would be Littorai.
Chris, I am not into ranking, points and all that stuff. I really dislike the whole idea.
I would tell you that all three of these producers made great wines, the stuff that keeps me posting here and posting in threads like this.
My PN road map started in California in the mid 90’s with a left turn at the fork in the road toward Burgundy. I did not realize at the time the need to cellar Burgundy for 15-20+ years much like the Bordeaux I was actively cellaring and enjoying now. I drank too many Burgs too young but I did gain an appreciation for the region.
Fast forward 5 years and I am ITB and tasting many California wines and increasingly more from Oregon. The quality of the California PN was improving but what really excited me was Oregon PN. Now the only CA PN I buy is Rhys and Clos Saron which is a unique expression of PN. Most of my buying dollar goes to OR where I get wines with nicely ripened fruit, terrior, ample acidity and the ability to transform into aged PN with complexity at reasonable prices.
Martin,
Please let me know which Rhys wines you have. If I don’t feel those are the right examples at the moment, I’d be happy to work out a trade (maybe for your Coche allocation?!!) for a couple of bottles that I think you would enjoy. It would be fun to see if we can change your mind! I will follow up on email.
I’m sitting here watching the Warriors with the last glass of 2008 Kosta Browne Keefer that my wife and I shared with a lovely dinner of grilled heritage pork chops, Santa Cruz apple sauce, Sweet potato, and roasted broccolini. I do not feel burned at all. I guess we all find happiness in our own way.
Deal, Kevin. Just saw and replied to your e-mail. My fear is that you will get me thinking of CA Pinot Noir when I can’t keep up with Burgundy alone. Ah, yes, the Coche allocation, blink and you will miss it tiny as it is.
I also recently had a bottle of 2002 Kistler Cuvee Elizabeth that really made me happy.
Are there a large number of people who bought KB wines with an eye towards reselling them for big profits later?
I like their wines, I have a bunch in my cellar, and I plan to drink most or all of it. You can quarrel with my tastes, but I’m not “getting burned” - just paid a bunch for wine I like.
I had to go and listen on grape radio the Davis vs Loring,Lee and Laube melee. Quite interesting as its the same debate you hear today on what should be the true character of PN.
Favorite Cali Pinots in no particular order:
Hartford Court
Paul Lato
Sojourn
Roar
Rivers Marie
Pisoni
Kosta Browne
Dumol
There seems to be a bit of a trend toward whole cluster. Some of these wines are very well made, but just not my cup of tea. Anything beyond about 15-20% tastes tart and stemmy. That beautiful Cali pinot fruit gets shoved too far into the background. We have lost some of our old favorite pinot producers that have moved too far in that direction. For some reason, I have found that some whole cluster inclusion is more beneficial in syrahs. Off topic I know, but favorite Oregon producers are Antica Terra and Bergstrom.
I am just a total heretic, as I still drink Brian’s wines (and enjoy Adam’s wines as well) while also buying and drinking Rhys, Littorai, etc…
Some excellent wines being mentioned here.
There’s honestly no way to rank these wines in a vacuum. Some of my buddies who are in Pinot production think the Rhys wines are too stemmy, while a wine buyer friend of mine from London buys any and all Rhys that he comes across. Williams Selyem has seemingly lost some of its gusto as a top California producer, yet at a winemaker Christmas party this past year where twelve different people brought a special bottle in a brown bag and tasted blind, the '86 Williams Selyem Sonoma County was the resounding favorite - beating out the likes of Marcassin (Marcassin Vineyard), Aubert UVSL and several other big players.
The short version answer to this question - drink more (which someone already said before me, but it’s a phrase worth repeating).
The best CA Pinot I’ve ever had was a 2007 Marcassin Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge about two months ago. Such a sexy, sexy wine. Also, if you haven’t tried the Calera Single Vineyard Pinots they’re definitely worth a taste. Some of the most singular, unique California Pinot Noir in my opinion.
ALL THAT SAID - the best Pinot Noir wine that I’ve ever had was a 1990 Comtes Lafon Volnay Clos des Chenes that I had last year. Fresh as a daisy and utterly electric. Like everyone has said before me…try some red burg. Especially with some age on it.
This a trendy popularity contest.
I had a 2007 Joseph Swan Trenton last month the was spectacular.
Thanks Dr. Glenn!
+1
I have enjoyed reading this thread. reminded me of a couple of pinot producers I’ve enjoyed in the past (Chasseur and Swan) and excites me about all the wine out there, both old and new, waiting to be tried.
one producer I have liked in the past and am holding a few bottles that I haven’t seen mentioned by anyone is Radio Coteau. they’ve always seemed well regarded.
There’s seems to be a tendency for posters located in CA to ‘root for the home team’. Not absolute, of course, but there are very few people outside of CA that are big partisans for CA pinot.
Can you share the state that you live in please?
Denial. Otherwise known as NY.
Ha!