Simple Hedonisms

Greetings Simple Hedonisms Lovers

I am enjoying a rare week with no business travel, and brimming with anticipation for this Saturday’s 2010 Pinot Noir Summit, with 8 hours of seminars, blind tastings, and food pairings on my beloved varietal, Pinot.  (Only 250 tickets total, and a handful left for the full or partial day event, check this post for special discount Barbara was nice enough to extend blog readers.)

Tonight’s treat is the James Family Cellars 2007 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Stony Point Vineyard. I have had this Pinot a few times at Cellars of Sonoma, and was a fan from the first mouth swirl.

This is a small family of growers, now also turned Vitners; after a decade of growing and selling their fruit, they turned to making small lots. For a first release, I think they did exceptionally well.

I am becoming rapidly growing fan of Sonoma Coast and Anderson Valley Pinot Noir, and need to get out of my backyard here in Russian River more (hard to leave my favorites ) and explore more in person.

Color: Clear, violet, to ruby.

Nose: Pleasant, classic Pinot aromas of cherry, red fruit, a hint of floral.

In the Mouth: Mouth pleasing but not overpowering cherry, strawberry, a hint of cranberry, vanilla. Great balance, mouthfeel, weight.The finish is as a Pinot should be – a velvety lingering kiss that slowly dissipates in your mouth, with no sign of heat or tannins, just hedonistic pleasure that makes you want another mouthful.

Whether its my palette become more attuned to Pinot Noir delicacies, or just fatigued to over extracted Pinot Noirs trying to be a Rhone like varietal, I really liked this release. It captures the essence of Pinot, but doesn’t required you be the Burghound to enjoy it.

Highly recommended; $35 at Cellars of Sonoma, sold direct, and possibly other venues.

Hope to see you other Pinot Lovers Saturday!

Wine Geek Notes:

Cases Produced: 211 cases

Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir

Appellation: Sonoma Coast

Barrel Aging: 10 months in French Oak (33% new)

Titratable Acidity: 0.53g/100ml

Clones: 113, 115, 828

Vineyard: Stony Point Vineyard

Harvest Dates: 9/29 and 10/5/07 Alcohol: 14.3% pH: 3.68

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