A friend of mine is going to be attending this event and the website lists the following wineries as pouring. Not being a big CA pinot guy, do you see any names on the following list that he should prioritize? I think his palate is pretty wide open, but perhaps leans a bit toward the more elegant style. Thanks.
Alysian is Gary Farrell’s new venture. Definitely try these. Another recommendation for Merry Edwards, Papapietro-Perry, Rochioli, and Williams Selyem. Kosta Brown and Siduri maybe (quite big wines.) I might add Argyle, Martinelli and Vision Cellars to the list as well.
Bearing in mind I don’t know some of the newer wineries, to my knowledge the only one avowedly pursuing an ‘elegant’ style is Inman.
While she does generally succeed, in my opinion there are challenges with the terroir.
I’d prioritize Vougeraie, young Aurelien Verdet (works with David Duband), Evening Land, Soter and Inman. There’re a lot of names I’d be curious to try again and many I’ve never heard of. Navarra should have some restraint. Haven’t tried a Papapietro in years and would enjoy the follow-up. Recently preferred a non-Gary Farrelled Gary Farrell to an Alysian and would want to check both.
I’ve had the Holdredge that is being poured at that event.
I liked the wine quite a bit.
The winemaker was a head case though- the guy kept following me around trying to convince me to drink more wine.
I finally pulled him aside and kicked the snot out of him.
I was bruised for days.
Oh sure, call out the token burgs. I was ignoring all but the Cali wines.
Agree on Navarro with the exception that i’ve had some Deep End Blend wines that have been pretty burly. Good though. Still have a few bottles of the 2005 downstairs. The regular l’Ancienne bottlings show usual AV cherry, but yes restrained.
I have very limited exposure to Evening Land - different wine makers by region right? If they have the Oregon wines (esp. Seven Springs), or maybe one of the bourgognes it could be interesting. I had a central coast wine from them back in 2009 (Santa Rita?) that was quite ripe.
Last Papapietros I had were spring 2009 just before leaving San Fran - all very fruit forward to me.
Uhhh, Richard, I’m a bit puzzled. A beautiful 'bow, but you are not in flyfishing garb and no stream in sight. So what gives? You wouldn’t pose with a store-bought fish would you?
Photo is next to a spring fed lake on a nearby mountain.
Lake was planted many years ago and has been generally forgotten except by the owner (who lives out of the area) and me. This is not a particularly large fish for that lake.
Looking at this list I could point out in two seconds all the names most would mention…
but I want to add one more you’ve probably never heard of.
MATRIX
Try this wine while you’re there. You will NOT be dissappointed! I stumbled across this winery by accident about two years ago. Late in the afternoon driving through Sonoma my friend and I were looking for one last winery to hit before they all shut down and drove by Matrix. We just said screw it and drove in.I’m so glad we did. I absolutely loved every pinot they poured. We bought several bottles and when I asked what other retailers carried them, they replied “None… only a couple restaurants in Healdsburg”
Tiny winery. Small production. INCREDIBLE Pinots.
I don’t get to Sonoma often but will go there next time I’m in the area.