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Tasting
notes on a new Pinot Noir from Halleck Vineyards on the Sonoma
Coast, and a Cabernet from Morey
Cellars, in Napa Valley. Tasted Wednesday, August 25,
2004. The wines were tasted in a single non-blind flight
over a period of six hours.
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Overall
impressions:
each of these wines were excellent, and worthy additions to any
cellar. As a Pinot fan, I love the balance between the cherry from
the Sonoma Coast, and the strawberry from the Russian River appellations.
As a Cabernet fan, I am especially impressed with what was accomplished
with a wine from what has been considered to be a difficult vintage.
Bravo to both of these producers.
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Tasting
Notes
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2002
Halleck Pinot Noir – Halleck Vnyd, Sonoma Coast. $55.
Medium-dark ruby-garnet color. Lovely nose of black and bing cherry,
along with lighter scents of strawberry, espresso and an interesting
floral note. Full and rich in mouthfeel, with a light candied ribbon
running from mid to latter palate. Fabulous balance, with plenty
of dark cherry fruit, in addition to flavors of cranberry, orange
pekoe tea, and even a bit of pepper on the very long lightly spiced
finish. The lighter espresso notes show-off the deft touch on the
French oak, adding to the structure, and spicing up the finish a
bit. The profile here strikes me as an interesting balance between
two local AVAs – the predominantly darker fruit from Sonoma
Coast, combined with hints of the RRV’s lighter strawberry-like
notes. Just beautiful! 84 Cases.
Aroma
score: A- Taste score: A- Overall score: A-
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2000
Morey Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon – Napa Valley. $40.
Beautiful cassis-scented nose with additional notes of toast, dried
flowers, and a touch of melon. Slightly chewy mouthfeel, yet very
smooth across the palate, the ripe dark fruit flavors are nicely
integrated with the very fine-grained tannins. Slightly more to
the Claret side of extraction, the mouthfeel seems surprisingly
full, silky smooth, and more than a little succulent. Excellent
balance throughout, and a deliciously long smooth finish. First
commercial release from this winery, and in a difficult vintage,
this is a very impressive effort! 187 Cases.
Aroma score: A- Taste score: A- Overall score: A-
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Behind
the Label
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The
Vineyard & The Wine:
Second
commercial release from this 1-acre, 7th leaf vineyard, owned
by Ross and Jennifer Halleck. Located at 900’ in the
hills west of Sebastapol.
Harvested
September 24, 1.2 tons/acre, 23.2o Brix. Fermentation used
all native yeast for both primary and secondary. Aged in French
oak and on the lees for 10 months in Francois Freres, Billon
and Remond (60% new). 84 cases bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Winemaker
was Greg La Follette, of Tandem, who also produced a 2002
Halleck Vnyd designate (87 cases) for Tandem (their last).
Of the two wines, the Tandem spent less time in oak and was
released sooner. Greg will continue as winemaker for the Halleck
label.
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Behind
the Label
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The
Vineyard & The Wine:
Made by proprietor and winemaker, Robert Morey. though he
has made wines for a decade or more, this is the first commercial
release of his Cabernet.
Comprised
of 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from a small well-known (yet unable
to name) vineyard off the Silverado Trail in St. Helena.
Harvested
October 28, 2000, and aged 24 months in French oak. Coopers
were Taransaud, Allié, and Nevers (40% new). 187 cases
were bottled December 4, 2002.
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Copyright
© 1993 - 2004, Eric Anderson - All rights reserved
No original material may be reproduced without written consent
Mail & Comments
- Eric Anderson
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