Posted at 3:05 p.m., Monday, October 8, 2007
Vino hosts pinot noir night Saturday
Advertiser Staff
The years 2004 and 2005 were big for Californian pinot noirs, with many of them ripe, full of fruit and with good structure and balance. Unfortunately, according to Vino master sommelier Chuck Furuya, 2006 is proving to be a much smaller crop, "which means the allocated will be even more allocated, and the prices are sure to go up."So before all the California pinot noirs are snatched up, Vino is hosting a wine tasting Oct. 13 featuring Furuya's favorite Californian pinots, offered by the glass. In addition, Furuya has found other interesting, one-of-a-kind pinot noirs that he will add to the evening's mix. At least 10 selections will be offered in two- and five-ounce pours, which will be priced individually. Seating is on a first come first serve basis, and the restaurant's regular food and wine menu will be available as well.
Look for:
2006 Summerland "Santa Barbara"
Furuya's take: an absolutely lovely, delicious, new discovery
2005 Becker
Furuya's take: a hotshot, new German producer whose wines are all about finesse and nuance
2005 Au Bon Climat "Santa Barbara"
Furuya's take: textbook pinot with such great texture and class
2005 Au Bon Climat "Le Bon Climat"
Furuya's take: his very own vineyard, this is Clendenen at his best
2006 WH Smith "Sonoma Coast"
Furuya's take: Here is a chance to taste what the highly lauded Sonoma Coast appellation has to offer
2003 Ici La-Bas Elke Vineyard
Furuya's take: a much more masculine, well structured, yet unheavy Anderson Valley pinot
2005 Melville "Estate"
Furuya's take: one of California's new age winemaking stars
2004 Amisfield
Furuya's take: a 94 point New Zealander
2004 Scherrer "Sonoma Valley"
Furuya's take: a truly superb pinot that's all about finesse, texture and class
2005 Keller Estate "La Cruz Vineyard"
Furuya's take: a very seamless, layered, suave, 94 point Sonoma Coast phenom
Vino: Restaurant Row, 533-4476.
