Sunday, June 14, 2015

Fantesca King Richard's Reserve Pinot Noir 2007

Fantesca King Richard's Reserve Pinot Noir 2007

What a rare and special treat for me, Richard, to celebrate the birth of grandson Richard Reid with son Richard Ryan, and how exciting and fitting to open a bottle dedicated to Richard, King Richard's Reserve, namesake wine named for another Richard. This special wine was made in honor of Richard, the father of Susan Hoff of Fantesca Estate and Winery.

They produce this wine for family patriarch, Susan’s father Richard, who loves his Pinot Noir. He pressed Susan and Duane Hoff to produce a Pinot just for him. They promised that if they produced a Pinot, they would at least name it after him, and they did!

We're huge fans of Fantesca Cabernets and Chardonnay and have visited Duane and Susan Hoff at their spectacular mountainside Fantesca Spring Mountain Estate and Winery overlooking St Helena during our Napa Wine Experiences in 2007 and in 2009With their elegant etched glass bottles, we enjoy serving their wines for special occasions, and we love their sophisticated and elegant wines too.

This release is sourced from fruit from the Sonoma County Russian River Valley. Initial tasting of this wine upon release indicated it wasn't yet ready. Now, at eight years, it is much improved and may be at or nearing the apex of its drinking window. Black/Garnet colored, medium bodied, flavorful, classic Burgundian aromas of earthy, dusty rose floral, with smooth, polished, silky, balanced elegant red and black berry fruits, subtle cola, dark cherry and spice notes with an accent layer of smoke that is pleasant and not the least bit offsetting. This has emerged as one of the best Pinot's I can recall. Certainly fitting for the memorable occasion.

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=784138

http://fantesca.com/