lynmar rrv pinot noir 2002

I'm still opening bottles from a 2006 trip to Sonoma's Russian River Valley. The other night I opened this RRV Pinot from Lynmar Winery. It's a vineyard specific wine, from Lynmar's Quail Hill vineyard made from 100% sustainably estate grown Pinot Noir. When we tasted at the winery later in the afternoon of a full day of wine touring, I think Keel and I had already begun to lose a little of our objectivity, if you know what I mean. I remember enjoying their Rose, and this Pinot Noir tasty. On the other hand, I do remember being a little toasted by the time we made it to Lynmar, so I could have been had. In any case, drinking it now a couple years later turned out a fine glass. Being in New York and finding as many ways to avoid buying too much new wine, I'm drinking up some of this California collection. The new Burgundy and Bordeaux bottles need shelf space.


Color: Pale garnet, starting to brown on the edges as color remained thin and light.

Nose: Fully fruity nose of dark cherry, pecans, pomegranate, and cinnamon

Taste: Cherry fruit was rounded by a bouquet of floral notes. Good acidity and predictable smooth tannins make for a light bodied wine with a bit of clove and earth coming through. At five years old this wine is likely peaking. You can taste the age on it, which isn't a bad thing. Funny, even the Lynmar tasting notes recommend drinking it by 2007. The nose is excellent and a beautiful compliment to the smooth flavors.

Alcohol: 14.4%

Price: $50 (a little much for this bottle)