Billed as "The Great Big Bacchanalia," Pinot Fest is one of the most anticipated wine tasting events of the year. It is rare to have winemakers and winery principles from some of the top names in California Pinot Noir in the same room (technically 3 rooms, but still). Fifty-eight wineries were present.
Organized by Pat Kuleto Restaurants Wine Director Peter Palmer, and held at Farallon Restaurant with the help of their Wine Director Luke Kenning - the event was a huge success. Overall it was refreshing to see lower alcohol levels and much less toasty new oak than in the past.
Highlights for us here at Planet Grape Wine Review include:
2013 Domaine de la Cote Pinot Noir Bloom's Field Sta. Rita Hills Santa Barbara California USA 95 12.5%, $70
Gorgeous, inviting, and Burgundian in weight and feel, with notes of cranberry, raspberry, blueberry, Herbs de Provence, and lightly salted beef carpaccio. Organically farmed.
2013 Domaine de la Cote Pinot Noir La Cote Sta. Rita Hills Santa Barbara California USA 96 12.5%, $90
Stunning, seductive and fresh with notes of pink grapefruit, raspberry, cherry, tar, mushroom, and nutmeg. Still developing, so age or decant for aeration. Organically farmed.
2013 Failla Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast California USA 91 13.9%, $34
Silky, delicate and tart with notes of lemon, cranberry, and wild strawberry.
2013 Failla Pinot Noir Hirsch Sonoma Coast California USA 94 13.4%, $70
Silky, tart and juicy, this layered, complex Pinot Noir has notes of raspberry, blueberry, red rose, and dried sage.
2013 Freeman Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast California USA 91 14.2%, $68
Full, silky and fresh with notes of cranberry, cherry, red plum, white rose, sage, and cedar.
2013 Foxen Pinot Noir John Sebastiano Sta. Rita Hills Santa Barbara California USA 91 13.8%, $48
Fresh, tart, and slightly chewy with notes of blueberry, plum, fig, porcini dust and cedar.
2013 Flowers Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast California USA 92 13.5%, $50
Delicate and juicy with notes of raspberry, pomegranate, plum, fig, sage, bay leaf and sea spray.
2012 Flowers Pinot Noir Sea View Fort Ross-Seaview Sonoma Coast California USA 94 13.9%, $65
Seductive, smoky and youthful with notes of raspberry, cherry cola, bay leaf, sorrel and mushroom.
2013 Hitching Post Pinot Noir Highliner Santa Barbara County California USA 92 13.1%, $45
Ripe, round, silky and beautiful with notes of lemon zest, cranberry, strawberry, and cherry.
2013 Sinor-LaVallee Pinot Noir Bassi San Luis Obispo California USA 89 13%, $45
Rich, ripe, and opulently oaky with notes of morello cherry, mocha, and vanilla bean.
2013 Talley Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate Arroyo Grande Valley California USA 92 13.8%, $36
Ripe, soft, and delicate with notes of cranberry, cherry, raspberry, red rose, and vanilla.
2013 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Calegari Russian River Valley Sonoma California USA 92 13.8%, $59
Lavishly rich, round and ripe with notes of dark cherry, cherry cola, vanilla bean, chocolate and cedar.
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