Nomadic Wines

Update on 2006 Nomadic Wines Pinot Noir and 2006 LeFavre Alder Springs Syrah

Jon F. really came to town so we could check the progress of the wine we're making at CrushPad. I had tasted the wines a couple times since we pressed the wine into barrels, but this was the first time for Jon. The wines had improved quite a bit since the last time. The crux of this CrushPad experience is the chance to watch our wines develop.

We first tasted the Nomadic Wines Amber Ridge Pinot Noir. It has developed exactly as I had hoped - it is a very light red color with bright fruit and great acidity. The 667 clone is showing its great aromatics, though it also looks like we should blend in some 115 to give it more structure in the mid-palate. I like the tannins and the acidity, so the trick will be maintaining the bright fruit while giving it the extra structure.

Next, we found the barrel of LeFavre Alder Springs Syrah. This wine has made great strides - the last time I tasted it the wine was chalky, grainy... it tasted like the experience I would have expected when chewing on fruity coffee grounds. At this point, it has integrated and while the coffee and black olive are still the dominating characteristics, the black fruit is coming out and the tannins are coming together. We think it is time to transition into a neutral oak - we don't want the wine to become to vanilla-y or oaky. Thanks to Ty for helping us out.

I am looking forward to chatting with the winemakers about bottling and racking decisions.

After CrushPad, we stopped by the Ferry Plaza for lunch then drove to Fort Mason for the Pinot Days Anderson Valley tasting. I will post notes as soon as I can.

Labels: Crushpad, Jon, LeFavre, Nomadic, Pinot Noir, Syrah, wine

posted by nomadfromcincy @ 9:07 PM