2003 Talley Pinot Noir Rosemary's Vineyard

An unusual vintage that stands out as an idiosyncratic Pinot, the atypical 2003 exhibits spicy notes of cloves, cinnamon, earth and jammy black cherry and currant fruit that is more obvious than in other Rosemary’s Vineyard Pinot Noirs. This is a full-bodied, deep, powerful effort that lacks the customary finesse, elegance and delicacy that one associates with Brian Talley. Nevertheless, there is a lot to like in this cuvee, although it resembles a typical California Pinot Noir rather than some of its siblings. When I first reviewed this wine in August, 2005, I thought it needed to be drunk in its first 5-6 years of life. However, at age 8, while fully mature, it is still holding on to life and is much more jammy than I remember. It should be consumed now.