2009 Falstaff Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Tiny berries, coldest site that he has. WS shows it is colder than burgundy. Difficult to ripen and skins get very thick to protect the berry. So more intense flavour. 25% whole cluster – because it is harder to ripen the fruit and doesn't want herbaceousness. 30% new oak. Four barrels made. Wonderfully intense bright, energetic fruit. Pretty spicy on the palate, still that sweetness that characterises his Pinot (compared with Sandhi). More compact and powerful, less elegant than the McDougall Ranch but still satin-smooth. (JH)
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Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2009 Pinot Noir Falstaff opens with a burst of dark red fruit, flowers and sweet spices. It shows good aromatic intensity and fine balance, although the tannins have an edginess to them that detracts slightly from the wine's overall balance. Still, I like the energy here. The Falstaff was made with 50% whole clusters and aged for 17 months in French oak barrels, 30% new.
The 2009 Pinot Noir Falstaff opens with a burst of dark red fruit, flowers and sweet spices. It shows good aromatic intensity and fine balance, although the tannins have an edginess to them that detracts slightly from the wine’s overall balance. Still, I like the energy here. The Falstaff was made with 50% whole clusters and aged for 17 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Jamie Kutch left a career as a trader a few years ago to follow his dream to make wine. Since 2007 Kutch has changed his approach a bit in favor of wines made in a less opulent style than his earlier vintages. Tel. (917) 270-8180, www.kutchwines.com
About 60% of these grapes were destemmed, the remainder fermented in whole bunches. Kept on the less until blending and bottling after 16 months in barrel, of which 60% were new. Mid crimson. Very focussed, high toned nose. Marked freshness and the merest hint of austerity. Very correct, bone dry, Can one detect very slight oak influence? Very linear indeed. 168 cases made. (JR)