Winery: Kings Mountain Vineyards
Region/Appelation: Santa Cruz Mountains
Tasting Notes: Medium ruby in color. This wine looks delicate and light but has hidden complexities. Gorgeous aromas of fresh strawberry, anise, and a hint of cardamom. More fresh strawberries and cherries in the mouth, with a light texture and beautifully balanced tannins that round out the fruit. Finish is long, fruity and dry with a touch of earthiness to – excuse the pun – ground the wine. Love it!
Rating: Fantastic
Price: $42.00
Discussion: Another winner from this small-run, Woodside estate winery. While I loved the deep richness of the 2004, the 2005 is EXACTLY how I love Pinot Noir: Fruit-forward without being too fruity; light to medium texture, and a fruity, dry finish. Where the 2004 was fantastic in its own rights, were I to choose between the two, I’d go with the 2005 because as I said, it’s exactly what I love in my favorite Pinots.
My tasting notes above are based upon a first pour – it’s that great out of the bottle. But after I let it decant for about an hour, the aromas give rise fresh orange zest, and the cherry flavor really blooms! Okay, I think I’m in love!
With its liveliness, this would pair well with spicy Asian food. In fact, as of this writing, I’m having the wine with some spicy, garlic chicken with baby bak choi. The two pair marvelously! But I would drink this on its own, as it has the structure to stand on its own. It’s definitely going on my list of favorite Pinots of 2011.
My friend and marketing director for Kings Mountain told me that this Pinot was made more in the Burgundian style. Well, the technique to make the wine may have been similar, but this is all Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir. I highly recommend this wine!
