Yesterday afternoon/last night I volunteered at The Newcomers Tasting and the Wines of Ed Kurtzman tastings at Fort Mason (SF). The tastings were the beginning of 5 days of Pinot related events culminating in the big grand tasting.
The wines in the newcomers tasting were poured blind in 4 flights of 4 wines each. Ed’s wines were poured in 4 flights of 4 but not blind. Ed set the order. The below are impressions of some favorites - I took no notes but as a volunteer was able to retaste some stuff and bring a few bottles home.
newcomers:
2007 Baxter Wines “Oppenlander Vyd” Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley - this was quite a favorite among the volunteers and myself. Terrific wine with plush fruit (blackberry/dark cherry), a little spice, orange rind with a very silky texture. Apparently all neutral oak, “native” yeasts and 125 cases produced. Didn’t catch the retail price but somewhere around $45, IIRC. 93/100
2007 Bjornstad “Van Der Kamp Vyd” Pinot Noir, Sonoma Mtn - warmer site. Very tight, good acid/structure, dark fruit, citrus, stone and spice. Definitely something to lay down for a couple of years. 91/100
2007 Suacci - Carciere “Suacci Vyd” Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley - this was terrific. A little lighter than the others with orange peel, asian spice, earth and red fruit. Made by Ryan Zepaltas (Asst at Siduri, proprietor of Zepaltas) 92/100
2007 SPELL “Weir Vyd” Pinot Noir, Yorkville Highlands - showed a little match stick like on the nose at first but seemed to blow off. Dark fruit/mushroom and smoke. Tight acid structure but good underlying fruit. Needs another year but should be very good. 91/100
There was a wine from Sand Hill Winery - Durrell Vyd that wasn’t very good. In fact some thought the bottle was bad but I tasted from a couple bottles with the same impression - green, underripe and funky. No bueno. Owner was very proud of it so bottles must have been correct.
From the Ed Kurtzman tasting:
2005 Freeman “Keefer Ranch” Pinot Noir - this was rocking good and WOTN. Perfectly balanced acid, red fruit, herbs, underbrush and spice…very “burgundian” if we need to throw something around…94/100
2007 Roar Wines (Pisoni, Garys and Rosella’s). Pisoni was terrific but very young. Revisit in about 7 years. Typicaly Pisoni spice with terrific acidity and some tannin that will resolve with some time. 93/100. Not usually a fan of Garys’ but Ed did very well with Garys’ in 07. Rich plush Garys’ fruit with some underbrush/spice. 91+/100. Rosella’s didn’t really do it for me but some it stole the show…oh well different palates.
What a fun night…will report back from Pinot Days main tasting on Sunday. HOpe to see some Berserkers there.