I and few brave souls from the other BB as well as one terrified guest sat down with the legendary Ebbe Bonde Sorensen and his wife and two sons at a dinner organized by Jay Hack on Monday at Allegretti in NYC. http://www.allegrettinyc.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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1999 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Rincon Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Arroyo Grande Valley (10/29/2009)
Wow! This was a perfectly stored bottle brought by Paul David from his bedrock cellar carved out of the Rocky Mountains. Still youthful, this had a crazy intense nose of pine, moss and forest floor, morels and truffle. On the palate, there were explosive notes of bing cherries and a touch of cola. The wine had great acid and still plenty of length in the finish. If your wines are stored as well as this example, I see no need to rush to drink this. Could go another 5 years at this plateau. One of the more impressive CA Pinots I’ve had in some time. (94 pts.) -
2005 Kutch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (10/29/2009)
Drunk with Ebbe Bonde Sorensen at Allegretti, NYC. He had not tasted Kutch before. The 05 is definitely the most rough and primary of the Kutch wines, but certainly outstanding for a first winemaking effort! The fruit is dark and brooding with lots of cola and candied cherry. There is some high toned citrus notes after the fruit and the alcohol is a little hot on the finish. Nevertheless, this is a succulent wine for those who like the riper style of CA Pinots and is probably drinking near its peak right now. (92 pts.) -
2006 Kutch Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (10/29/2009)
The 2006 showed Jamie’s refinement in style and is a big leap ahead of his first-effort 2005. The fruit is intense in this wine but not as heavy as the 05. The wine is lighter on its feet and has more finesse and elegance. It seems better integrated and is a more whole and complete wine from start to finish. The nose has an intense perfume of pomegranate and red cherry with hints of vanilla and spice. On the palate the red fruits are bright and explosive and the acid is more integrated and shows less of the citrus note in the 05. The wine is silky on the palate and shows a some earth and tea notes. Drink over the next 3-5 years? We will find out. (92 pts.) -
2005 DuMOL Pinot Noir Finn - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (10/29/2009)
Tied for second favorite of the night. This had more oak that showed throughout the flavor profile, but it was well integrated. However, it still kept the fruit from showing more. Brooding, with dark red and black fruit notes on the nose followed by oak and spice. Lively on the palate with layered black raspberry fruit and hints of allspice. A little hot on the finish but not unbalanced. (91 pts.) -
2000 Walter Hansel Winery Chardonnay Cuvée Alyce - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (10/29/2009)
Another great wine brought by Paul David. A lion in winter, this wine had a bright golden hue with hints of straw, spice and golden delicious apples on the nose. On the palate the wine still tasted fresh with nice apple pie notes and lively malic acid. There was a very slight hint of oxidation but it tasted so lively and fresh compared to the Kongsgaard. A very nice wine! (89 pts.) -
2004 Kongsgaard Chardonnay - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/29/2009)
Deep golden color. Hints of oxidation and dried apricots. On the palate, lots of wax and butterscotch as well as spicy burnt orange peel. Long and creamy finish with lingering spice and acid. Not my style. (88 pts.) -
2006 Aubert Pinot Noir UV Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (10/29/2009)
Flat and unrevealing nose. Tart pomegranate and cherry cola notes. Not showing well and is especially monolithic compared to tonight’s competition. (87 pts.) -
2006 Scholium Project Sylphs Guman Vineyard - USA, California, North Coast, Carneros (10/29/2009)
Really intense lemon citrus nose. Super high toast oak is put on really tight and acidic fruit with lots of lemon and apple notes. Tastes acidified. It grew on me a bit but it still seemed disjointed on the whole. Not sure what to make of this, but if it doesn’t flesh out a bit with age it is going to fall apart. Not my style at this point in its evolution. (87 pts.)
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