- 2014 Cirq Pinot Noir Bootlegger's Hill - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (3/25/2025)
From my late father’s cellar, moved to mine a couple of years ago.
Hard to believe this is eleven years old, as the fruit is still fresh and dominates the palate. Aromatics are a bit more developed, with some savory nuances, but this is still a fruit-forward wine. The fruit runs to the dark red end of the spectrum, and it’s definitely in the fully ripe zone, but not to the point of candied or macerated. Balance is fine, and the 14% ABV is well disguised, just don’t drink it too fast! I suspect this can develop for another 5 years or more given the concentration of fruit. Perhaps the savory elements will be enhanced with more cellar time. Pretty sure there’s one or two more bottles of this to be transferred.
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Wow, David, that is going back to nearly the beginning for Michael Browne after he left KB. @brigcampbell and I share a group of 3 friends–they’re all brothers, and they buy Cirq and Chev every year. The wines are often often when we get together so he and I both get to taste them pretty regularly. The style that Michael makes is one that I enjoy, very much aligned to your “fully ripe zone” comment in your note. There is a big cut of fruit that Michael gets into his wines, and they’re delicious.
My dad bought Cirq from 2012-2014. He drank one, maybe two bottles.
That visit to Michael’s place by the airport was an epic day. Well, it was actually 10am and barrel tasted half the cellar. Whoa doggy.
I like the style for a treat.
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I have a video!
You can see the barrel room in the back, this is after an hour in there. 
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“Floral, purple” is a great descriptor.
Brig, you dug that video out the archives, and an appearance by Mr Kennedy too. Awesome.