I really like what Paul Sloan and company are doing at Small Vines. This was probably my favorite new winery find of 2009, and it was great to taste the breadth of the wines at their release weekend last month.
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2006 Small Vines Wines Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (4/18/2010)
Tasted at the winery. This is just rocking right now. Great to drink at the moment. Pure black cherry and blackberry fruit, with dusty baking spice. Vibrant acidity and a solid finish. A- -
2007 Small Vines Wines Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (4/18/2010)
Tasted at the winery. More structured and darker than the 2006, this also is showing more reticent fruit right now. This is to lay down while you drink the 2006 and 2008. Dark cherry, spice, and floral notes. Robust structure that has bright acidity and a very strong finish. Needs more time to integrate. A- -
2007 Small Vines Wines Pinot Noir MK Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (4/18/2010)
Tasted at the winery. This is just the knockout in this lineup. A beautiful black cherry, blackberry, rich earth, and mineral expression on the nose that delivers on the palate with great purity and intensity. A graceful palate presence. Structured and delicious, with an excellent finish. A-/A -
2008 Small Vines Wines Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (4/18/2010)
Tasted at the winery. Smoking bottle of wine right now. Bright black cherry and blackberry fruit just leap out of the glass, gripping your palate. The acidity is strong, but the mouth feel of the wine is caressing and delicious. Delicious and good for earlier consumption. A- -
2008 Small Vines Wines Pinot Noir MK Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (4/18/2010)
Tasted at the winery. A notch up in intensity and complexity from the Russian River, but this is also in need of some additional time to integrate. The oak sticks out just slightly right now, and the blackberry fruit is precocious. Earthy notes are solid, as is the finish. A-
Posted from CellarTracker
In addition to these wines from bottle, there were two barrel samples:
2009 Russian River: Barrel sample. Primary but very fruity. Showing the structure of 2009 on the back end, with bright acidity and noticeable tannins.
2009 MK: Barrel sample. Very dark color; almost inky and extremely backward. Grapey blackberry fruit with oak and loads of structure and earth. Needs time to come together.
