Samsara Ampelos Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sta Rita Hills, USA

輪回酒莊艾普樂黑皮諾干紅葡萄酒

點(diǎn)擊次數(shù)：3222

The 2008 Pinot Noir Ampelos Vineyard (biodynamically farmed site with clay soils utilized by Brewer-Clifton as well) has deep, rich plum and black currant fruit with some roasted herbs, damp earth, and spice box. It is a chewy, structured wine, large-scaled, full-bodied but tannic, although not as backward as the Turner (no doubt because it possesses more richness and density). Patience is suggested, as this wine will benefit from 1-2 years of bottle age and keep for at least a decade or more. This is the personal project of Ron Melville’s son, Chad. He has turned in some impressive efforts in previous vintages and the 2008s are, for the most part, as good as his brilliant 2007s. Chad Melville tends to use approximately 50% stems/whole clusters for all of his Pinot Noirs with the exception of the Las Hermanas, which is only 25% whole cluster. His alcohols are moderate to moderately high by Santa Rita Hills standards – 14.1% is the lowest (for the Melville) to 14.7% the highest (for the Turner Vineyard). They are all 100% Pinot Noir and mostly made from various clones, including the newer Dijon clones, 115 and 667, and some of the older California clones such as Pommard. His oak regime is different from that of his mentors, Greg Brewer and Steve Clifton, since he prefers to use 20-25% new oak, except in the case of the single-barrel (new) wine, the “228.”Tel. (805) 331-2292

This rich, spicy wine comes from the eastern part of the valley. It’s very full-bodied, almost coarse now, but that’s a function of its fresh tannins and brisk acidity. Tastes jammy in cherry-berry pie filling, with a sweet, smoky oak veneer. Needs 4–6 years, but if you drink it now, decant.——S.H.(12/31/2010)—— 92