06.02.08 /2005 Baileyana Chardonnay Firebreak Vineyard

So we had this Cali Chard at the Cooper's the other night. I love Edna Valley wines, and wanted to try a Chard from the Firebreak Vineyard, but I did not really like it.

Here are my notes that I typed on my iPhone: touches of oak with mellow mild vanilla. Hints of Kraft caramels, ocean breeze on the nose. Could be better, sweet like a Carneros chard.

Here is Jamie and Jim enjoying a glass waiting for the steaks to cook. Jim liked the wine a lot, and chided me for my snobery, while Jamie went back and forth, but eventually sided with me that it was too over blown without the structure needed to support that faux vanilla /carmel flavors.

2004 Battle Alsace v. California: '04 Schuller Pinot Noir no. 24 v. '04 Kynsi Edna Valley Pinot Noir

This was a surprising upset as the Schuller won the battle. I wanted to have Alsace represented during our fondue dinner, and it was a shining example of a red from a traditionally white wine region and winemaker. Distributed by the Fountainhead, Schuller's Pinots can be really funky to the point of undrinkable - varying from vintage to vintage and bottle to bottle.

Muted fruit with sulphur, tar and dark chocolate jammed you on the tongue with a slight effervecence and pleasant finish. The Kynsi, a Pinot that I have had at least 8 bottles of this year and love dearly, was suprisingly sweet and yeasty. It is Californian but not a big fruit bomb - against the Schuller and with the fondue, it was like candied raspberry water.

2001 Campion Pinot Noir Firebeak Vineyard

This California Pinot from the Edna Valley is a recommendation from our friend Coleman at the Wine Thief, who occationally helps us out at BONDA. On the nose it is super candied raspberry with hints of oak. On the tongue, mild tannins support ripe red berries and woodland floor. A nice Cali Pinot, a bit on the fruity side and on the high tip: $56 on the shelf. I prefer drinking the Kynsi (from the Edna Valley as well) at $38.

BUT the Campion is a single vineyard wine and a 2001 - which was an awesome year in that region. The Kynsi is a 2004 - but is drinking supreme. I could only imagine what the Campion tasted like at 3 years, or 4, as it could use some more time in the bottle to mellow out the high notes.

But I like my Pinots basey anyway. The only other 2001s I have are from Oregon, which I think was a good year as well. I will have to get to them soon!