Yesterday was my birthday. To celebrate we opened two bottles of RN Estate pinot noir. These bottles are both from the justifiably-famous Fiddlestix Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills AVA. The vintages were 2009 and 2010. And the two could not have been more different. Before going any further, I hasten to add that they were both terrific.
The 2009 opens with aromas of black cherry and licorice. The mid-palate is dense and luscious featuring more black cherries with some added black raspberries. A finish of spice and silky tannins rounds out a wonderful experience.
By contrast, the 2010 has a nose of black cherries and a hint of forest floor. The mid-palate is brighter than the 2009, tending to red cherries and strawberries. The finish is just a touch of spice and the same silky tannins.
We acquired both of these wines before we got our Eurocave. And we did not handle them particularly carefully. Their durability and development are both testimonials to the skills of Roger Nicolas. If you’ve never tried his wines, do it now.
