This were consumed over the last few days but primarily at my home during a Halloween party on Saturday night.
Roar Pinot Noir Garys’ Vineyard 2007:
I mentioned in the thread about '07 California Pinot purchases that I haven’t bought very much. In fact, I think the total is all of six bottles. I bought two from Roar and one of those was this guy. Though I am generally not the biggest domestic Pinot Noir fan, wines from the Santa Lucia Highlands tend to rank at or near the top of my short list. Drinking this wine makes the '07 vintage, its value, its popularity and praise and my obvious lack of understanding or use for it painfully clear. Much like '07 in Rhone (CDP, which I am also not enamored with), the raw materials are there and the wine offers up momentary bits of excellence- fascinating aromatics for example. However this is not a style I can drink more than a glass of. Even though the fruit is smooth and rich, it is heavy and somewhat clumsy. I doubt this will change with any sort of coaxing and I can also say confidently that there are many who would disagree with me. That’s okay. For now I am just glad to have tried it. 87 points
Kistler Pinot Noir Bodega Headlands Cuvee Elizabeth 2004:
I think this is my last or second to last bottle of Kistler Pinot. I need to check because I would be just as happy if it were my last. Look, I just did not like this wine. A number of other guests did not either. I had intended on writing a detailed description of this wine but in the end I will refrain since this thread may end up (wrongly) like some sort of California Pinot bashing thing . . . 84 points
J Rochioli Pinot Noir Three Corner Vineyard 2005:
I think this wine is in a nice place right now. This was most peoples’ favorite of the Domestic Pinot Noirs. The nose was pleasant, complete with dark fruits and underbrush. The wine was complex, mostly a big dose of black plum, red berries, bramble and pine resin. There is nice acidity and good length. This is something I am happy to drink. 91 points
Promise I will try harder to like these wines in the future. Especially since everyone else does!