TN: 2004 WesMar Pinot Noir Olivet Lane Vineyard

Tom_Gutting · December 3, 2009, 4:09pm

2004 WesMar Pinot Noir Olivet Lane Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (12/1/2009)
14.2% alcohol. Back in 2007, I was worried about this wine. It was grapey and tight and just a bit disappointing. Texturally pleasant but not much else. Two years in the cellar have done it good. This is absolutely delightful now and just reaching into its best drinking window. Pretty red color. Knockout bouquet of red cherry, spice, and flowers. In the mouth, pure and juicy, with stunning red cherry fruit. This is the essence of red-fruited Pinot right here. Tremendous complexity that is just starting to flex its muscles and bright acidity. Super finish that rolls on. This wine is going to deliver a lot of pleasure for the next few years. One of the best Pinots I"ve had all year. A

Berry_Crawford · December 3, 2009, 4:15pm

Thanks for the note. WesMar is a very underated producer.

Daniel_Posner · December 3, 2009, 4:16pm

+1

Tom_Gutting · December 3, 2009, 6:53pm

They really are under-appreciated and just plain outstanding. I love these wines. The positive transformation over the past couple years for this 2004 is phenomenal. It’s as pretty as the 2003 or 2005 after a bit of a rough youth. It’s still in its youth. Just blossoming.

Brett_Johnson · December 3, 2009, 8:51pm

+3

Wish I had some '04s left! I had this bottle earlier this year and thought it was outstanding too!

Berry_Crawford · December 3, 2009, 10:29pm

Mr. Johnson, you have an unfortunate name for a wine lover.

Brett_Johnson · December 3, 2009, 10:44pm

I think my name is a sign of destiny.

I live wine, drink wine, produce wine and if all goes well in the next year or two I’ll be able share my wine with the world.

At the very least, it’s an unforgettable name in this biz!

Berry_Crawford · December 3, 2009, 10:55pm

Andrew_Christiansen · December 4, 2009, 12:07am

Two of the best 2007 CA pinots I’ve had this year were the WesMar Sonoma Coast and Russian River Valley. Excellent combination of aroma, fruit and structure. The RRV is outstanding now, but the SC may ultimately win the war. I don’t know Denise and Kirk, but in my brief dealings with them, they seem like the epitome of humble wine makers.

gene_keenan · December 4, 2009, 1:00am

i love this wine too. regrettably they don’t grapes from this vineyard anymore

Dennis_Atick · December 4, 2009, 2:13am

Nice note Tom.
My last Wesmar was the 2002 Olivet consumed about two years ago.
Stellar wine.
This '04 sounds great.

Tom_Gutting · December 4, 2009, 2:33pm

Kirk and Denise are some of the best people in wine country. They’re just absolutely delightful. And have an estate vineyard in the works over the coming years

Sad they don’t get Olivet Lane fruit anymore. 2005 was the last vintage … to me this is the best bottling out there of it. Well, was. I’m going to hold precious my last 2003, remaining 2004s, and 2005s.

And all their wines are really reasonably priced … the blends are terrific. $35 for wines that are just smoking good. The aromatics are distinctive and tasty.

Mo_K_a_n_g · December 5, 2009, 12:07am

I think only Merry Edwards gets Olivet Lane fruit these days. But ME pinots are a lot more expensive. Count me in the WesMar fan group.

Jason_Hagen · December 7, 2009, 9:11pm

Great news Tom. I still have a bunch of the this left, including a Mag but note from a few years ago had me worried.

8/26/2007 rated 87 points: I have been checking a bunch of my 04s with not so great results and so I decided to grab this one even though I had planned to wait a few more years. Opened this and had a small glass but let the rest sit for a few hours. Great aromatics as usual for WesMar. Christmas spices and lots of fruit. Great but nothing unique. Candied cherry attack. Silky. The finish is sloppy. Basically the wine shows be red fruit. Lots of pomegranate. Slightly sweet but the finish is missing the acid to hold it together. The wine is very tasty but like so many 04s … not sure it will go to the next level. 87 pts. As a side note my wife loved this. Not really her style but she really loved it.

Glad to hear it is going to the next level.

Jason

Simon_Thomas · December 7, 2009, 9:22pm

I am excited about this!

ITB too.
http://www.homemadewinesecrets.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Tom_Gutting · December 7, 2009, 9:26pm

Jason – it was funny, I read your note the night I popped one and was thinking to myself, “Yup, that was spot on. And – WHEW – this has turned the corner.” Turned it in the most positive of ways.