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2005 August West Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (11/10/2009)
14.7% alcohol. This is a very memorable wine for me. The first wine made by Ed Kurtzman I ever tasted – a happy accident one day at the Freeman Winery in August 2006. This was sitting in tank, ready to be bottled the following day, and it was a revelation. I’ve had patience tasting a bottle, but it was time. And the wine is still quite youthful. Opened 90 minutes before serving but not decanted. This is still tight. A lovely bouquet of red and black cherry, a hint of Rosella’s citrus, spice, earth, and flowers. In the mouth, this is where it shows tight and a bit closed down. The palate struggled to allow the fruit to fully open. There was a bit of pronounced acidity and a touch of bitterness on the finish. After a couple more hours, toward the end of the bottle, it opened up, with a delightful cherry pie aspect of the fruit. Fully developed complexity. Gorgeous, layered complexity. Balance. And a great finish. Just have to hold onto it. There is upside. A- -
2006 August West Pinot Noir Rosella’s Vineyard - USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands (11/9/2009)
14.7% alcohol. Light red color, with a lovely bouquet of citrus-edged black cherry and blackberry fruit that also has a floral hint. In the mouth, a smooth balance that is eminently drinkable. The fruit explodes on the palate, laced with acidity. Strong finish. A- -
2006 August West Pinot Noir Graham Family Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (11/6/2009)
14.8% alcohol. Surprisingly light color. Gorgeous nose from the get-go, with cinnamon-tinged black cherry and blackberry fruit. A floral note comes forward on the palate, with sweet and plush fruit that glides across the palate giving a velvety texture. Long finish. Just delightful now. A-
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