Tonight we had the last half bottle of WillaKenzie Estates Kiana Pinot Noir 2006. This is a bottle I picked up in Oregon last November. I opened the bottle a few days ago, and it kept beautifully in the fridge with just the cork wedged in (I couldn't find a cap for the vacuum pump).
My goodness, WillaKenzie is serious about Pinot Noir. They produce no less than ten different blends or bottlings of Pinot Noir from various parts of the estate, plus a Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris (regular and late harvest), Pinot Meunier, and a Gamay Noir. And that doesn't include the four different single clone wines they produce that are only available to cellar club members. This is a serious, serious Pinot Noir specialization.
WillaKenzie Estates Kiana Pinot Noir 2006
Very consistent presentation, even two days after opening. Milk chocolate, cherry, and a bit of orange zest on the nose. On the palate: lifted very dry cherry and very earthy. A lovely wine which -- like most of the wines we love best -- defies categorization. Is it masculine or feminine, muscular or supple, aggressive or submissive? In the end: screw classification. This wine is its own person.
I was introduced to Oregon's WillaKenzie Estate by my good friend Rebecca. My first foray was their Pierre Léon Pinot Noir 2006, which had enveloping cherry and tobacco scents with hints of herb and liquorice. On the palate: A gorgeous silky texture, with lots of cherry, meaty and barnyard notes -- tons of energy but silky!
I still have one bottle of the Pierre Léon 2006. I'm keeping it for a special occasion. And thanks to Rebecca, who is in the WillaKenzie cellar club, I just acquired three bottles of the Triple Black Slopes 2007. We tried a barrel sample in November and it was amazing. Can't wait to try it again.
0 comments:
Post a Comment