TN: 2009 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing

WINE TALK
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  • 2009 Sea Smoke Pinot Noir Southing - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills (3/26/2012)
    Tasted at Los Olivos Tasting Room & Wine Shop. Aromas of crushed stone, ash and red fruit. The fruit on the palate was more plum than cherry. Additional dried herb and dried floral notes. Silky and fine with firm tannin and sweet fruit finishing notes that lingered. Could have been the setting and/or the poor stemware of the tasting venue, but the wine seemed tight and awkward. (no score)

Posted from CellarTracker

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It’s interesting, up to your last sentence, it sounded like a very favorable review of the wine.

Southing usually needs 2-3 years from release to integrate and hit its stride – I find it usually to be a bit clumsy and disjointed before then (though not necessarily unenjoyable). I’d recommend drinking 07 and earlier as of this time; I opened an 08 last week, and it’s not in a good place yet, though I think it will be a very good wine with another year or two in the bottle.

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Chris that’s good info- your assessment makes sense when I think about my tasting. I think I was looking for that “wow” factor and got a wine that needs time. I thought the flavors were there, it just was a little bit tight and incomplete. I did think it showed more balance and elegance than I might have anticipated. I’d be interested to revisit in a few years.

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Had a 2007 Southing at an offline last September and a 2005 Southing at an offline three months later. The difference was dramatic; the '07 was tight and very reserved (but good) and the '05 was very aromatic and forthcoming (excellent). Aside from any possible differences in the vintages, I’d venture to say the additional two years in bottle made a big difference.

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I went against my own advice and opened a 2008 Southing a week or two ago, and I think it will be a very good wine starting a year or two from now, but this just isn’t the right time for it.

If anything, with the slightly different style of the last 2007-present vintages under the new winemaker, the number of years of patience required might increase some.

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Chris,

I wonder if that will be the case, though, especially when I’ve heard that their oak regime is ‘not as aggressive’ as it’s been in the past. Curious to hear from Don S. on this if he’s around . . .

Cheers!

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Chris,

I wonder if that will be the case, though, especially when I’ve heard that their oak regime is ‘not as aggressive’ as it’s been in the past. Curious to hear from Don S. on this if he’s around . . .

Cheers!