TNs: Four tasty PNs (Rochioli, Sunce, Arcadian, Merry Edwards)

WINE TALK
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  • 2004 Suncé Pinot Noir Rodella Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (12/8/2009)
    13.9% alcohol. Red cherry color. Vivacious bouquet of pure red cherry, baking spice, and minerals. In the mouth, intense and concentrated but retaining gorgeous balance and elegance. A lovely texture unfolds red cherry, spice, and bright acidity in the mouth. This is a wine that begs you to drink it. An earthy note comes into play. Very long finish that is an amazingly pure ode to cherry fruit. This is absolutely fantastic. A-/A
  • 2003 Merry Edwards Pinot Noir Klopp Ranch - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (12/7/2009)
    14.4% alcohol. Dark cherry color. Gorgeous, intense nose of black cherry, earth, and spice. In the mouth, concentrated and focused, with tremendous intensity and life. Loads of black cherry fruit give way to earthy notes, bright acidity, and a long finish that isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. You do get some tannic influence on the back end, revealing the skin contact this wine goes through. A-
  • 2002 J. Rochioli Pinot Noir Estate Russian River Valley - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (12/5/2009)
    14.2% alcohol. Not showing any signs of age or slowing down. Bright red color. Beautiful nose of old school Rochioli, before the warmer Sweetwater Vineyard fruit came to dominate the basic Estate blend. Mineral-laden nose of red and black cherry and baking spice. In the mouth, linear and gorgeous, unfolding layers of fruit, spice, and flowers before you hit strong acidity. Long finish that is just classy and refined. Balanced and concentrated beautifully. A terrific wine. A-
  • 2005 Arcadian Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Rita Hills - Sta. Rita Hills (12/5/2009)
    13.5% alcohol. Restrained and more closed down than eight months ago. Red-fruited nose laced with minerals. In the mouth, laser-like and racy, with lots of red cherry fruit, earth, and minerals. Strong finish. Tightly wound at the moment, but still generous. A serious wine at any price, giving it really QPR winner status. A-

Posted from CellarTracker

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Nice lineup! Don’t know Sunce. Do you mean Rosella’s? Never heard of Rodella. D is next to S on the keyboard.

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Roy – indeed, RODELLA. It’s a Westside Road vineyard that’s a bit smaller than some. I’m lacking my map at the moment, but if memory serves … it’s nestled in between Allen and Bucher or some such thing. That may be incorrect. But it’s right there in the heart of these great vineyards, and it’s one that is totally overlooked. I believe 2005 was the last vintage Sunce produced from here.

Anybody know where the fruit is going?