GOLD MEDAL - 2010 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition
GOLD MEDAL - 2009 Sonoma County Harvest Fair
Many credit the movie Sideways with putting California Pinot Noir on the map, and while there can be no doubt that Sideways helped spread the word about this grape in California, the fact remains that Pinot had be going strong in California for many years prior to the movie. One of the first regions in which California growers saw success with Pinot Noir was in Carneros, although with the extreme cooling effect of the nearby San Pablo Bay, this region was originally focused on Pinot Noir for sparkling wine. Once people started using the grapes for still wine they quickly realized that this was a special region, capable of light yet intense wines, and one of California’s great Pinot growing areas was born. Today’s Heist features another of Sonoma County’s new, small family wineries, Inspiration Vineyards. Founded in 1999, they have quickly gained a reputation for high quality Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Zinfandel. We have spoken at length of the greatness of the 2007 vintage for California Pinot Noir, and this is another great chance to see what all the fuss is about.
The 2007 Inspiration Vineyards Pinot Noir from Carneros is sourced from a single vineyard in Carneros, with careful farming practices ensuring only ripe, high intensity grapes reach the winery. Pale ruby in the glass, the nose is classic Carneros Pinot with plenty of strawberry, cranberry and cherry, along with subtle hints of damp earth and tobacco. The palate is light and refreshing with plenty of acidity to support the cherry and cranberry flavors. This is typical of Carneros Pinot in that it is lighter and more elegant, more European in style, than some of the riper versions found further north in Sonoma County. No new oak is used at Inspiration Vineyards on the Pinot Noir, so fruit flavors shine through. This is a California Pinot for those who find too many California wines to be heavy and overdone, and prefer a more restrained, balanced style. Of course, this means it make food pairing easy, as you don’t have to worry about overpowering a lighter dish. Serve it with poultry, or even salmon, and be amazed by how a lighter red wine can bring out subtle flavors in these dishes. At just $24, this is a great Pinot bargain, and a must have for any time a lighter wine is needed.
Vineyard: Martin Ranch
Appellation: Los Carneros, Sonoma County
Varietal Blend: Dijon Clones: 667 (75%) 115 (25%)
Harvest Date: September 6th 2007, September 12th 2007
Brix at Harvest: 26.1° & 25.8°
Total Acid: .64 g/L & .68 g/L
pH: 3.40 & 3.39
Alcohol: 14.5%
Fermentation / Cellaring: Open-top fermented, cellared in a combination of two and three year old French oak barrels for 12 months.
Bottled Date: September 8th 2008
Release Date: March 1st 2009
Cases Produced: 252
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
95 Points
This stellar Napa Valley Red Blend marries lush plum and cherry with Malbec's dark berry depth and Petit Verdot's structure and spice. Layered with notes of blackberry, violet, and cocoa, this silky wine finishes with smooth tannins and a whisper of toasted oak. Robust and mouth-filling, with spicy nuances, smooth tannins, firm structure, and a long lingering finish.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
Inky, plush, cellar-worthy
The nose is an aromatic riot—a decadent mashup of blackberry, black cherry, and plum swirled with whimsical notes of red licorice, vanilla, and cocoa. A savory dust of spice, cedar, and a gentle kiss of oak adds a sophisticated edge to this fruit-forward powerhouse.
91 Points
Shimmering ruby-purple hue. The nose is a walk through a damp Sonoma forest—mossy bark and wild earth—brightened by high-toned notes of cranberry sauce and blood orange. On the palate, it's generously long in the mouth, with good concentration. It's a masterclass in tension: intense, cherry and red current fruit meets dark spice and fine, sandy tannins.
95 Points
Aromas of wild berries, black fig and ripe dark fruits are intertwined with hints of fresh mountain herbs, mineral, leather, savory spices, and cigar box. On the palate, the rich fruit flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, blackberry, red currants and cassis are layered with notes of wild sage, dark chocolate truffle, cinnamon, clove, and a kiss of oak.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
96 Points
Bold and luxurious with inviting aromas of blackberry, black cherry, tobacco, notes of cedar and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather.
92 Points
Lofty aromas of ripe red fruits layered with notes of crushed violets, berry cobbler, cherry and creme brulee leading into crushed blackberry with cassis, mocha, leather, mineral, and baking spice. Its all encompassing and bold mouthfeel are outstanding, as deep tannins dance around the palate, finishing with flavors of blackberry, fig, and pipe tobacco.
Exceptional
Aromas of bright oak, essence of lilac, toasted brioche and sage delight your senses. Flavors are just as complex with hints of soft melted butter, quince, fig, and a touch of lavender that titillate your taste buds. Its delightful texture is balanced by great acidity, leading to a long satisfying finish. Truly a chardonnay lovers top pick.
Chewy & Ripe
Dark purplish-black with aromas of ripe black plums, bacon, blackberry jam, and black tea. Dense, chewy and ripe across the palate with a nice mid-palate texture and weight. Rich, structured, and complex, with a long evolving finish.
92 Points
Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate. The palate unfolds with layered flavors of black cherry, raspberry cordial, vanilla bean and spice, where focused tannins envelop, leading to a rich red fruit finish with blue fruit undertones.
93 Points
Depth, balance and big flavors. The nose evokes black cherry pie, licorice, plums, vanilla, and notes of chocolate. On the palate, it bursts with cassis, red currants, toasted walnuts, and chocolate. This wine has great texture that ultimately finishes with round, silky smooth tannins.
94 Points, Wine Enthusiast
This opulent wine opens with aromas of blackberry, black plum, violets and spice on the nose. Flavors on the palate of dark cherry, sarsaparilla and orange zest wrap around dried tobacco leaf, malt chocolate and toasted vanilla, with a long, supple finish.
97 Points
Lush and fleshy, with cassis, boysenberry, and blackberry notes guided by hints of alder and mesquite. Stays open but defined through the finish, with a buried hint of sweet tobacco. A rich, layered beast, this has a nose rife with currants, blackberries, vanilla, and light toast with flavors of mocha, plum, and Bing cherry that mingle harmoniously on the tongue.
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