The Kutch has a very brief note since I didn’t take detailed notes during the tasting last weekend. However, I do remember how well it tasted even at this young age.
The 2007 Reynvaan (3rd leaf fruit) was an interesting wine as well. I’ve been hooked on rhone varietals for the past year now. In terms of california, it reminded me of the first time I tried the 2007 Copain Bakers Ranch. The fruit and style was just different from many of the domestic Syrah’s I had previously had. Fruit purity and flavor profiles that are few and far between were what caught my full attention. This specific bottling (btw the bottles have this silky smooth coating, and are sized to do some serious damage on anything in its path) was planted in 2005 in a vineyard called “In the Rocks”. In 2007 the Reynvaan family planted another vineyard called “Foothills in the Sun” in 2007 with Syrah, Cab, and Viognier. I will be on the lookout for the Cabernet down the road depending on what they do with it. FYI - This was sold out at the winery but I found a bottle on Avalon.
Here are the notes I took during the tasting.
2007 Kutch Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard - Deep forest floor/earth, Cola/Rootbeer, and Maple aromas jump from the glass. Silky restrained mouthfeel. Best of the three 07s. Well done! I scored this 94pts. as long term.
2007 Reynvaan Family Vineyards Syrah The Contender - Decanted for 1 hour, then back in bottle for 8 hrs. Smoke, Charcoal, high toned crisp minerality that pierces the senses, pineapple/tropical fruits underneath, apple, vanilla. Kept burying my nose in the glass. Elegant movement in the glass. 13.99% co-fermented with Marssane. More blue fruits, minerality, and kept thinking I was drinking blueberry in the form of a crushed rock. Palate was awake! I score this 93 now but can see it becoming higher. 93-94+.
Also drank a 1979 Rubicon Estate / Niebaum-Coppola Rubicon (USA, California, Napa Valley, Rutherford) this night. I had bought 3 bottles back in November for my 30th, and did not get to this bottle that night. I had low expectations since the other 2 79’s were poor showings. This was a little over the hill but was drinkable for sure. The first look at the cork made me think it was a fake, just because it was so clean and fresh. As I removed the cork though, it was aparent that this was the real deal. Acidity was still lively, some mocha, tea, cherry, and funk profiles remained.
I will keep an eye on Reynvaan all. The first bottling from that site really showed great potential. The other 2007 Syrah “In the Rocks” seems to be showing great based on other cellartracker notes. If anyone knows what they plan to do with the Cab, please let me know. Cab/Syrah blend, 100% Cab, source other varietals to make a bordeaux blend, etc.
Happy drinking this weekend
Josh