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2008 Scallop Shelf Estate Pinot noir, Sonoma Coast
Tasting Notes
The appearance of the 2008 Scallop Shelf is vibrant red and light-hued. The nose reveals dark cherry, spice and violet notes supported by grilled meat (lamb) and brass aromas. Despite its youthfulness, the wine is well-integrated and seamless. This is evident as the fruit aromas build and broaden as the wine carries across the palate. The incredibly long finish has notes of anise, dried pine needles and a lingering flavor of chocolate covered cherries. With air, the fruit profile darkens and becomes more masculine and kirsch-like though not alcoholic or pruny, just deep and powerful. No need to decant though a 30-45 minute breather will allow these deeper aromas to emerge. The wine should age for 7-10 years though we suggest you open a bottle after letting the wine rest from delivery to assess for yourself.
2008 Peay Vineyards Pomarium Estate Pinot noir, Sonoma Coast
Tasting Notes
The name Pomarium (po-mare-ee-um, apple orchard in Latin) harkens to the early 20th century when our hill was planted to Bartlett pears and Gravenstein apples for dried fruit production to feed San Francisco.
The terroir expression due to the vintage trumps clonal style as the 2008 Pomarium is deeper, earthier and more masculine than previous vintages. The complexity gained from very low yields is immediately evident. The nose shows chunky red fruits from the Dijon clones with cedar and bing cherry notes revealing themselves as the wine opens. The tannins are soft but present and provide a framework for the evolving aromas of cranberry, tea, earth, hickory smoke and mushroom. The finish is very long. The 2008 Pomarium has excellent breed and quality. Decant for at least 30 minutes for the fruit aromas to lift and age for 2-3 years for bottle bouquet to develop.
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