Don's Gillette's Weekly Wine Blog
Weekly musings from our store's resident wine guru
Don has over thirty years experience in the wine industry. For the last eighteen years his attention has been focused on the growing local industry. Don has a large following of customers who search out his opinions (never in short supply!) on new releases and on what's currently most distinctive on our shelves. Others seek his insights on wineries and trends that are still under the radar. Check back here each week for Don's latest thoughts on various wine-related topics. Read Don's full bio...
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Barrel Fever
January is a good month for barrel tasting. Winemakers are generous with their time and are as eager to see their new babies as we are. Recently Zoe, Frank, Brandon and I made a few stops in the Russian River Valley to see some of our favorite 2005 and 2006 Pinot Noirs.
Russ and Jennifer Halleck's winery is a lesson in serendipity and good judgement. Converting a steep and unpromising back yard into a Pinot vineyard, they hit the jackpot, discovering Grand Cru terroir in a place others thought unpromising. Choosing the perfect mentor in Pinot specialist Greg Lafollette, they also found a friend, an informed guide in their search for more new fruit sources.
We tasted multiple barrels of the Halleck 2006s. "The Farm" is a seductive and beautifully floral fruit bomb. The '06 "Hallberg" is deep and statue-esque, with the class, age-ability and polish of fine Burgundy. The micro-production "Estate" shows wonderful richness and complexity and a distinctive terroir, worthy of its exalted price. Although at this moment, the 05' Halleck Pinots are flying off our shelves, the '06s could prove as fine or even finer a year from now.
Dan Goldfield, of Dutton-Goldfield, makes deep, sleek, classic Pinots that love age. His 2003 "Sanchetti" is one of the greatest RRVs in memory. Dan was just about to bottle four 2005 "vineyard-designates", and we got to see multiple barrels of all four. Watch out for the brilliant Freestone Hill and the truly wonderful "Sanchetti," could will prove better than the terrific 2004, and maybe even the 2003! Some of his 2006s look nearly as fine!