Tns: 2 Alesias--The 2006 San Mateo and Sonoma Coast Pinots

WINE TALK
1

My wife cooked a new wild salmon dish tonight, with a red wine vinegar, whole grain mustard with hint of chile and honey, garnished with some sliced sweet potatoe. Felt like a good match to compare the only Alesia wines I own, both 2006. Since there is a re-release tomorrow, I wondered about whether I would add a couple more. My notes follow and while I like the San Mateo (SM) for it’s crisp and easy nature, I think the Sonoma Coast (SC) is more to my liking, and will be quite nice as it evolves. My notes follow, and with a 1/2 bottle of each to finish for tomorrow, some decanting notes will follow tomorrow:

  • 2006 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir San Mateo County - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, San Mateo County (5/18/2009)
    Pale red gentle color. The nose is shy, showing a bit of stalk. Palate of cherry, strawberry and light anise, finishing with a nice minerality and raspberry like acidity. Probably the most feminine pinot I have drank in a while, with subtle edges and flavors.
  • 2006 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (5/18/2009)
    I bought just one of these on release so in advance of the release tomorrow, figured I would test drive the bottle with my SIL. Poured alongside the 2006 Alesia San Mateo for compare/contrast–TN written with 90 mins of air. In this SC, more perfume, more contribution from the barrel, along with a hint of pine. Slightly darker in tone, too, with darker fruit. There is red but with blueberry appearing, along with a more plush texture. Bit tighter finish to, adding some acidity on the back end with raspberry and some vanilla, with much more oak notes in general showing on the SC versus the SM. On par, I like the SC better than the SM, as it shows more of a richer side that I like.

Posted from CellarTracker

2

Thanks Frankie - I haven’t had the pleasure of trying the Sonoma Coast Alesia…but I sure love the San Mateo, particularly for the price.

3

Thanks for the notes Frank. I’m digging both wines now and think there is promise of something better with some short term bottle rest.

4

Thanks for the timely notes – something to consider while gearing up for the release later today. I have had both wines in the last few weeks and also have a slight preference for the SC. Like Cris I think both are terrific, especially for the money, and will benefit from time in the cellar.