ENKIDU TASTING ROOM VISIT - Enkidu Tasting Room, Kenwood, California (6/7/2009)
This is a new tasting room near my sister’s two boutique stores in Kenwood, so I decided to check it out after brunching with my sister. The winemaker, Phil Staehle, learned his trade at Carmenet Vineyards, and also worked briefly at Copain. His wines generally show a good light touch with the oak (except for the Chard, where the thinnish fruit can’t support the excess of new French oak used). The Sauvignon Blanc is very nice. The tasting room was only pouring the lowest priced of the three Pinots, and I’d like to try the rest. The Rhone blend is quite tasty, and a good value, and the 2nd label, “E,” Cabernet was remarkably good for the price.
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2008 Enkidu Sauvignon Blanc Kick Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County
Very light yellow color; nice, focused and not cloying fresh lemon nose; lightly oily textured, focused, slightly floral, white flower, tart peach and grapefruit palate; short-medium finish 90+ pts. (partial malo) (90 pts.) -
2008 Enkidu Chardonnay Tin Cross - USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley
Light yellow color; nice cream, melon, faintly nutty, mineral nose; a little thin on palate, cream, with too much oak for the lightness of the fruit; short finish (86 pts.) -
2008 Enkidu Syrah Rosé Shamhat - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Light watermelon pink color; light strawberry sorbet, baked rhubarb nose; hibiscus, tart, light red fruit, rhubarb, mineral palate with good lime acidity, and a lot of grip for a rose; medium finish (95% Syrah, 5% Pinot Noir) (89 pts.) -
2007 Enkidu Pinot Noir - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; deep berry, black cherry and potpourri nose; minerally tart cherry, potpourri palate with a touch of rhubarb, good acidity; short-medium finish (20% whole cluster) (89 pts.) -
2005 Enkidu Syrah Odyssey - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Dark red violet color; big, green, herbaceous, roasted fruit and roasted green chiles nose; herbaceous, tart plum, olive palate with drying tannins; short-medium finish (25% whole cluster; filtered) (88 pts.) -
2005 Enkidu Petite Sirah Fazekas - USA, California, Napa Valley
Dark red violet color; nice tar, black fruit, pepper and graphite nose; tart black fruit, pepper palate with a touch of licorice, not as concentrated or heavy as most Petites at this age; medium-plus finish 90+ pts. (90 pts.) -
2007 Enkidu Humbaba - USA, California, North Coast
Dark red violet color; pepper, graphite, smoke and tart black fruit nose; flavorful tart black fruit, graphite, pepper palate with a green note; medium finish (blend of fruit from Sonoma, Napa and Lake Counties; 70% Syrah, 30% Petite Sirah) (90 pts.) -
2007 Enkidu Cabernet Sauvignon “E” - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
Medium red violet color; herbaceous, tobacco nose with green notes, but very harmonious; eucalyptus, camphor, tart cassis and tart black fruit palate; medium finish (needs a year or so; Enkidu’s 2nd label; a good value at this price point) (89 pts.)
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