I drank something you didn't drink

S

Sharon Bowman

Sharon Bowman
Continuing in my pursuit of the improbable, last night a 2002 Kistler Pinot Noir "Kistler Vineyard" was a dashing fellow indeed. So balanced! So Burgundian! So suave, at a perfect age of seamlessness; liked to have it on our table and in our glasses, etc. It's 62F in Paris in August and a friend made Cuban roast pork and we listened to Cline Dion. Dig the syncretism, if you dare.

In any case, it was actually very lovely. And I tried as I might*, I could not find any of the hallmarks of CA pinot, so despised of one and all. I don't know where this was from (some hill off Chambolle they forgot about?), but it waren't Cali-forn-eye-A, so much.

Lovely, as were a 2009 Domaine de la Cadette Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire "Melon"yes, a Melon... ba da bum... de Bourgogne. I noted in my dry, terse way, "Tasty biz." I was all Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe. And then a mumblemumble something Alsatian, who knows (shakes head, looks down).

*What on earth is the past tense of "might"? Tried as I mought? Mighted?
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
I drank something you didn't drinkContinuing in my pursuit of the improbable, last night a 2002 Kistler Pinot Noir "Kistler Vineyard" was a dashing fellow indeed. So balanced! So Burgundian!...In any case, it was actually very lovely. And I tried as I might*, but I could not find any of the hallmarks of CA pinot, so despised of one and all. I don't know where this was from (some hill off Chambolle they forgot about?), but it waren't Cali-forn-eye-A, so much
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I hope some French people were on hand to share in the revelation. But is this a typical showing for Kistler? I know there are "good" pinot noirs in California but didn't necessarily think Kistler was high on the list of those who like Burgundy.
 
Sharon,
I have had several vintages of that pinot over the years. I specifically remember a 1994 that was delicious at about 15 years of age.
But I would not go out hunting for it - Yixin makes a joke but there are vintages that you would likely feel differently about (good bottle vs. bad bottle). And these are pretty expensive, too.
Kistler Vnyd. is in the Russian River and the going price here for the 2002 is about $120.

BTW, if you want to try some interesting CA pinots, may I suggest those from the Anderson Valley?
Not all of them but more than a few have a very clear sense of place and the better producers make wines that I think you would enjoy - at a third of that price.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Salil Benegal:
Jim,
Which producers in Anderson Valley would you suggest trying out/keeping an eye on?
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I'm not Jim and I haven't stayed in a Holiday Inn in years but my current favorite is the Copain Kiser En Haut (mentioned recently in another thread). That's why I'm also looking forward to Rhys Bearwallow. '06 and later.
 
Salil,
Jay picks the top of the list.
Also look for Roessler, Husch, Navarro, Copian, McPhail, Lazy Creek and Greenwood Ridge. There are others that do not readily come to mind.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:
Salil,
Jay picks the top of the list.
Also look for Roessler, Husch, Navarro, Copian, McPhail, Lazy Creek and Greenwood Ridge. There are others that do not readily come to mind.
Best, Jim
Click to expand...

Much as I like Navarro's whites, and love their sweet wines and grape juice, I am not a huge fan of their pinot (others have liked it more than me). I like the less expensive bottling better than the more expensive.

Not really familiar with the others.
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
I drank something you didn't drinkContinuing in my pursuit of the improbable, last night a 2002 Kistler Pinot Noir "Kistler Vineyard" was a dashing fellow indeed. So balanced! So Burgundian! So suave, at a perfect age of seamlessness; liked to have it on our table and in our glasses, etc. It's 62F in Paris in August and a friend made Cuban roast pork and we listened to Cline Dion. Dig the syncretism, if you dare.

In any case, it was actually very lovely. And I tried as I might*, I could not find any of the hallmarks of CA pinot, so despised of one and all. I don't know where this was from (some hill off Chambolle they forgot about?), but it waren't Cali-forn-eye-A, so much.

Lovely, as were a 2009 Domaine de la Cadette Bourgogne Grand Ordinaire "Melon"yes, a Melon... ba da bum... de Bourgogne. I noted in my dry, terse way, "Tasty biz." I was all Humphrey Bogart as Philip Marlowe. And then a mumblemumble something Alsatian, who knows (shakes head, looks down).

*What on earth is the past tense of "might"? Tried as I mought? Mighted?
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I'll let the other geeks argue about the Kistler but Celine Dion? I remember an article by a friend of mine in a Los Angeles newspaper describing her as "a very large voice in search of just a little soul." IMHO the woman has no terroir, there is no there there. In fact less than the Kistler IMHO.
 
Year in and year out, the Pinots by Ken Burnap and then Jeff Emery at Santa Cruz Mountains Vineyard have by far been my favorites from California.

. . . . . Pete
 
originally posted by Jay Miller:

Much as I like Navarro's whites, and love their sweet wines and grape juice, I am not a huge fan of their pinot (others have liked it more than me). I like the less expensive bottling better than the more expensive.

Not really familiar with the others.
Click to expand...

I also prefer the Mthode l'Ancienne bottling to the Deep End. Not super profound, but versatile with food and a relative bargain at around $30.
 
originally posted by fillay:
originally posted by Jay Miller:

Much as I like Navarro's whites, and love their sweet wines and grape juice, I am not a huge fan of their pinot (others have liked it more than me). I like the less expensive bottling better than the more expensive.

Not really familiar with the others.
Click to expand...

I also prefer the Mthode l'Ancienne bottling to the Deep End. Not super profound, but versatile with food and a relative bargain at around $30.
Click to expand...

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by Jay Miller:
... my current favorite is the Copain Kiser En Haut (mentioned recently in another thread).
Click to expand...

Agree, Jay. That's a lovely wine, quite enjoyed it at the dinner with Wells Guthrie.

Thanks for the various suggestions and nudges in this thread. I have to say that most of my California knowledge (though not the Kistler) has come through the gracious generosity of Jay Miller.

Now let me wax rhapsodic about the fine Oregon pinot noir I drank on Roosevelt Island, in days of yore....
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:

Agree, Jay. That's a lovely wine, quite enjoyed it at the dinner with Wells Guthrie.
Click to expand...

Name dropper!

Thanks for the various suggestions and nudges in this thread. I have to say that most of my California knowledge (though not the Kistler) has come through the gracious generosity of Jay Miller.
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No offense (to either of you), but isn't that a bit like getting sex education from the Pope? Myself, I rely on fabled Internet tastemaker FLJim for my continuing CA edumafication.

Mark Lipton
 
originally posted by Sharon Bowman:
originally posted by Jay Miller:
... my current favorite is the Copain Kiser En Haut (mentioned recently in another thread).
Click to expand...

Agree, Jay. That's a lovely wine, quite enjoyed it at the dinner with Wells Guthrie.

Thanks for the various suggestions and nudges in this thread. I have to say that most of my California knowledge (though not the Kistler) has come through the gracious generosity of Jay Miller.

Now let me wax rhapsodic about the fine Oregon pinot noir I drank on Roosevelt Island, in days of yore....
Click to expand...

Ahhh, Belle Pente Murto, no? That was nice.
 
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