FIDDLEHEAD CELLARS - Brief Impressions from 2009 Fall Open House

WINE TALK
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I post these notes mostly to draw your attention to the ‘04 Oldsville Reserve Pinot (which might be sold-out now), and the jaw-dropping awesome ‘02 L’Orvert, which is now my favorite CA Sauv. Blanc (I believe there are plenty of these remaining) … and also to publicly thank Mr. Livingston for the incredible hospitality he extended to Ashley and I during our visit. [thankyou.gif] If you find yourself in the Santa Rita Hills area, do yourself a favor and stop by Fiddlehead – you will have a great time!

The wine, food, and company were such that I didn’t really have a mind to take down TN’s that rise much above worthless … but here they are anyways. I liked everything, albeit to varying degrees … the ones that really stood out were the aforementioned ‘04 Olds and ‘02 L’Orvert, and also the ‘05 “728" Pinot, as well as the ‘04 Goosebury Sauv. Blanc… Most of these notes do not do these wines justice.

2006 Fiddlehead Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Happy Canyon - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
– tasted non-blind at Fiddlehead’s 2009 Fall Open House –
Tropical nose – kind of came across as a CA/NZ hybrid. Full bodied for a Sauv. Blanc, but only 14.1% alc… A bit alcoholic on the finish. I preferred the two “Gooseberry” Sauv. Blancs we tried today. No malo; 1/3 stainless, 1/3 neutral Fr. oak, 1/3 new Fr. oak.

2002 Fiddlehead Cellars Sauvignon Blanc L’ Orvert - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
– tasted non-blind at Fiddlehead’s 2009 Fall Open House –
Simply put, Wow! Wonderful acid/mineral/fruit interplay here, with a new-to-me diesel characteristic on the nose and palate (never got that off a CA Sauv. Blanc before). Lengthy finish. Drinking very very nicely right now. This has officially toppled Cliff Lede as my favorite CA Sauv. Blanc… Again, Wow!

2004 Fiddlehead Cellars Sauvignon Blanc Goosebury - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Ynez Valley
– tasted non-blind at Fiddlehead’s 2009 Fall Open House –
I preferred this to the ‘05 vintage of this bottling, as I tasted them side by side. Wonderful zingy tropical fruits on the nose, along with a fresh tomato vine scent. The slightest hint of diesel complicates, as well. If I would have tasted this blind, I probably would have called NZ Sauv. Blanc on this, as it had very zippy acidity, tropical fruits, and no grassiness. I thought this was very good.

2006 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir Oldsville Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
– tasted non-blind at Fiddlehead’s 2009 Fall Open House –
Earthy nose. Somewhat oaky. A very “big” Pinot. I preferred the ‘04 of the same bottling.

2004 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir Oldsville Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
– tasted non-blind at Fiddlehead’s 2009 Fall Open House –
Very pretty aromatics – concentrated flower petal smell – akin to what a rose smells like a couple days before it goes bad. Smooth on the palate, with flower petals repeated here. Rich taste. My favorite Pinot of the tasting. Very well-done.

1999 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir Oldsville Reserve - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
– tasted non-blind at Fiddlehead’s 2009 Fall Open House –
– tasted from mag. –
Purple color. Bright cherry and non-descript red fruits on the nose. Straightforward taste. Does not taste like its ten years old … the ‘04 from 750mL tastes more evolved. A bit too alc. on the palate for me.

2006 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir Alloro - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
– tasted non-blind at Fiddlehead’s 2009 Fall Open House –
– bottle opened 3 hours before tasting –
Spicy nose, with dark red/purple fruits adding complexity. Perfumy with purple fruits on the palate. Tight as a drum – needs lots of time. 14.1% alc., but still came across as a bit alcoholic.

2007 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir 20th Anniversary Cuvée - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills
– tasted non-blind at Fiddlehead’s 2009 Fall Open House –
Citrus notes on the nose, with pure, jammy fruits on the palate.

2005 Fiddlehead Cellars Pinot Noir Seven Twenty Eight Fiddlestix - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills
– tasted non-blind at Fiddlehead’s 2009 Fall Open House –
Nice spice on the finish. I preferred this over the ‘06 “Alloro,” as it seemed to be showing more dimensions today than the “Alloro.” I’m surprised this is Fiddlehead’s “entry level” Pinot, as I found it to be one of the better Pinots of the tasting. Perhaps its “entry level-ness” lends it to better showing when young than do the other bottlings.

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Thanks Brian - I need to check out Fiddlehead!

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Fixed. You’re welcome.

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True. And True. [berserker.gif]