hudamang  
CALI
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 401
 | | 12-04-2006 07:06 PM |
| - 2004 Rhys Pinot Noir Alesia Kanzler - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (12/2/2006)
Took to restaurant and decanted for an hour. There was considerable heat present throughout the night. I was hoping it would get better and while the nose did smell fruitier and more full by the end of the night, the palate only showed cherry and some earthy notes. I felt the wine has potential and hopefully will get better with age but tonight, it was not as good as I had expected. Slightly too simple. Finish was not very long.
Perhaps I had a slightly off bottle? It wasn't corked but other people's notes on cellartracker definitely make me surprised. (87 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker | | |
|
|
Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts: 9456
| | 12-04-2006 07:13 PM |
| | I really recommend the "Savage Olsen Method" with these wines - shake vigorously! There is a lot of CO2, releasing that really lets the wine shine through. Perhaps you mistook slight bite of CO2 for heat? I've detected no heat whatsoever on any of the Alesia & Rhys wines yet (have had both Pinots, the Syrah, and the Chard). | | | 2008: the end of an error | |
|
hudamang
CALI
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 401
| | 12-04-2006 07:23 PM |
| | Thanks Eric. I still think it was alcohol and not the CO2 though. The last sip was just as alcoholic as the first. I still have a few bottles so hopefully they will get better than how this showed. | | | |
|
Winetex 
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts: 11069
| | 12-05-2006 01:44 AM |
| I am about at alcohol-sensitive as you can get and I had no perception of heat with this wine. I was prepared to not like it but I ended up drinking it with the other folks with gusto.
- 2004 Rhys Pinot Noir Alesia Kanzler - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (12/3/2006)
Hudamang, your bottle sounds off by your description. Our bottle was a clear garnet color with an expansive, spicy nose. The nose on this wine was just dynamite with cherry, spice and a touch of earthiness in the flavors. Balanced with more acidity than some wines from this area. It was very young but a nice package and varietally correct. [Decanted 30 minutes and improved until it was gone; Decent value for this wine; ? on the drinking window but could probably go a few years] (90 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker | | | |
|
pizinah
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1313
| | 12-05-2006 05:55 AM |
| | Had this tonight and agree for the most part with Winetex. Very nice aromatics and tasted great -- I'd give it 92-93 pts, thoroughly enjoyable. My first Rhys/Alesia and I'm glad I signed up. | | | |
|
Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts: 11069
| | 12-05-2006 01:48 PM |
| I think the wine will improve to 91-92 points. Quite good, it was like a very happy puppy in character. | | | |
|
Blair Ridley
Wine Labeler
Posts: 3980
| | 12-05-2006 03:46 PM |
| | Thanks for the notes on this one, folks. I've got 3 bottles of this (and 3 of the Alesia Sonoma Coast) in my "offsite storage facility at Seek's." I hope to try one in early 2007 and let the rest age a few years... | | | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts: 15756
| | 12-21-2006 12:54 AM |
| Kevin brought a bottle of this to a tasting dinner we had in November. I didn't take notes but I remember liking it the best of the particular flight. It was certainly a lot better than 90 points at least in my opinion. The group thought another six months to a year it would start to really sing.
I'm only unhappy that there was so little of this stuff made and he won't be making a Kanzler again. Anyone who doesn't want theirs let me know. | | | |
|
ChillyWino
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1763
| | 12-21-2006 04:45 AM |
| Quote:
Anyone who doesn't want theirs let me know.
I'm sure the offers will be pouring in!! | | | |
|
Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts: 9456
| | 12-21-2006 03:36 PM |
| | David, I also brought this to the Skwid engagement offline at Sea Salt. | | | 2008: the end of an error | |
|
David Niederauer
Los Gatos, CA
Master Sommelier
Posts: 15756
| | 12-23-2006 04:36 AM |
| | Eric, I remember that now that you mention it. IIRC you two liked it a lot also. | | | |
|
ChangeMe
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1371
| | 12-26-2006 02:26 PM |
| | From the 12-23 off-line: Our first sample of these which we have received in the last month or so. Delicious wine, tons of cherry, some smokiness, hints of dark berries as well. Long balanced finish. Very nice. 92-93 points. | | | |
|
kimber
Barrel Filler
Posts: 1254
| | 02-04-2007 02:59 PM |
| | Drank this last night with pork chops. I'd buy a case if I could. 92 pts. | | | |
|
Rob Kim
Las Vegas, Nevada
Grape Fermenter
Posts: 447
| | 02-21-2007 06:31 PM |
| | I suppose that with all of the reviews both here and on eBob, I expected a lot more, I thought it was very elegantly made and extremely balanced without any particular component outweighing the other. However, it didn't knock my socks off and I think I prefer the Sonoma Coast PN a bit more. 90+ | | | |
|
TheTestyTroll
Grape Truck Driver
Posts: 35
| | 02-22-2007 04:43 PM |
| Quote:
I suppose that with all of the reviews both here and on eBob, I expected a lot more, I thought it was very elegantly made and extremely balanced without any particular component outweighing the other. However, it didn't knock my socks off and I think I prefer the Sonoma Coast PN a bit more. 90+
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
I too prefer the Sonoma Coast.
IMO, Kanzler is not the type of vineyard which conforms to the Rhys/Alesia style of wine. This is why Kevin dropped it.
TTT | | | |
|
Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts: 11069
| | 12-11-2007 09:43 AM |
| | After two subsequent bottles I think I overshot with my improvement prediction on this one. Last night's bottle was 88 pts with a lot of heat on the finish. I'm glad it was our last bottle. | | | |
|
love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12607
| | 01-25-2008 11:02 PM |
| $42, Mailing List.
Pretty damn good bottle of wine. I see the scores range between 88-92/93. That's quite a variation. Tonight, I was right in the middle of the pack @ 90 points. One can drink or hold it. I don't see much improvement. No rush & no crime to drink now with some air time.
ST 91+
| | | |
|
Vine
Milwaukee, WI
Grape Puncher
Posts: 834
| | 08-31-2008 04:33 PM |
| - 2004 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Kanzler Vineyard - USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (8/29/2008)
Popped and poured. Medium to dark in glass. Friday night, the nose was interesting, with under-ripe strawberry, herbs, earth......and a funky, almost feral aroma (reduction?). Feral aromas seemed to blow off after about 45-60 minutes in glass. Plush in mouth, with the same under-ripened red fruit flavors as on the nose plus some spice.......seemed closed and not too giving........although there was none of the spritz that others have experienced.
Due to the nose, and overall tightness I decided to re-cork and drink again on second day.
On day 2 the "funk" had completely dissipated, leaving aromas that were far more pronounced and interesting........with red fruits now complimented by a distinct herbaceous character.....think mint, parsley and earth. Also, an added floral element appeared. Still plush on the palate, the red fruits, spice, and earth were quite nice.
Could of probably lasted to a third day but there was no way that was going to happen!
If I had any more bottles of this I would certainly wait until next summer before opening one.......to me, this is another outstanding example of CA Pinot Noir from 2004 that NEEDS bottle time to really show. Should only get better. (92 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker | | | |
|