Yes, it was. And yours truly nailed both the grape and origin - I won´t be guessing anything more the rest of the year...:-)
Next tasting is on me - I got an idea - Pinot! (not!)
2010 Reed Vineyard Pinot Noir, Calera
An open, warm, spicy nose with notes of raspberry coulis, leather, cold coffee, rhubarb and a iron scent. Nice enough but lacks focus.
The taste is warm, fruity and feels almost fully mature, with spicy Pinot fruit and some leather, liquorice and warm earth thrown in. The finish is medium long and a bit thin at the end. Again, good enough but should be drunk sooner than later.
84p (tasted 2014/04)
2010 Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir, Calera
This is more restrained and seedy with notes of sweet lingonberries, not fully ripe raspberries, undergrowth, dried herbs and a touch of band aid. Definitely more interesting and with the Phelps below, the only one that could have been mistaken for a Burgundy. Good.
The taste is young, cool and seedy with notes of lingonberry lemonade with some blueberries thrown in, liquorice, forest floor and lots of herbs. The same touch of iron as on the nose is evident in the taste. A medium long finish with a fine acidity. This is still young and will surely flesh out some with 2-3 years in the cellar. Very good.
87p (tasted 2014/04)
2010 de Villiers Vineyard Pinot Noir, Calera
The following two Calera wines has more of everything - body, power, elegance and structure. The de Villiers has a big, open yet firm nose with notes of wild raspberries, new leather, forest floor, Asian spices and some bonfire aromas. Deep and fine. Very, very good.
The taste is young, tight and broad with notes of raspberry coulis, black cherries, licorice, fresh herbs and some freshly grounded coffee. The finish is medium long with a fine warmth. Very good for drinking now and the coming 7+ years.
90p (tasted 2014/04)
2010 Jensen Vineyard, Calera
The Jensen has pretty much the same profile as the de Villiers, albeit the fruit is a tad warmer and there is a fine note of iron, as in the Ryan. Very deep and fine. A lovely sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is young, potent and concentrated with notes of raspberry truffles, hard cherry candy, warm herbs, leather and warm gravel. A long, fine finish. A very good acidity. Save this for 3-4 years before doing the deed.
91p (tasted 2014/04)
2009 Ceremonial Vineyard Pinot Noir Vintage VII, George
Bottle number 1606 out of 2499 made. This bottle has a deep, decadent, gorgeous nose with notes of strawberries, (over) ripe raspberries, coffee powder, Asian spices, smoke and the crust of toasted bread. Very deep. This is good! A lovely sweetness to the fruit. Young.
The taste is big and bold yet with a fine delineation and notes of raspberry truffles, moist forest floor, fried herbs, tobacco and bonfire. Very long, very focused, very good. This is for drinking big mouthfuls of. But not worth the tariff, it costs 83 Euro here in Sweden.
93p (tasted 2014/04)
2010 Freestone Vineyard Pinot Noir, Joseph Phelps
This was a surprise. I always associate Joseph Phelps with Insignia - the 1985 was magical a couple of years ago - and I don´t have much experience outside their Cabernet production. And this isn´t even their best Pinot! A more withdrawn nose than the George, with notes of lingonberries, red cherries, salmiak, dried spices, crushed rocks and tobacco ashes. It evolves nicely in the glass all through the tasting. Has more to give. Very, very good.
The taste is young, tight and focused with notes of not yet ripe strawberries, forest floor, smoke, salmiak and some tobacco flavors. The finish is long and elegant. Some bonfire notes evolves. I would love to explore this over a day or two. This is good!
93p (tasted 2014/04)
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