2007 LaZarre Wines Santa Maria Bien Nacido Vineyard Pinot Noir
Mission Codename: LaZarre Focused
Operative: Agent White
Objective: Acquire a limited allocation of the legendary Pinot made by Adam LaZarre
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: LaZarre Wines
Wine Subject: 2007 Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley
Winemaker: Adam LaZarre
Backgrounder:
California’s Central Coast region, and specifically Santa Barbara and San Luis Obisbo County has become one of the state’s premier regions for Pinot Noir. The generally warmer climate, moderated by the coastal fog, its sandy and clay loam soil, and broad exposure results in Pinot of exceptional purity.
Adam LaZarre, while he is officially the winemaker for Villa San-Juliette Winery (and formerly from Hahn Estates and their affiliated labels) has been making super-premium, limited quantity Pinot for years and has elevated his skill to an art form. Always an operative favorite, this wine is well worth tasting.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Dark garnet, with sparkling Burgundy edges and a perfect clarity through its slightly darkening heart. When swirled, the wine shows a bouncy surface that settles quickly, leaving behind wide-spaced clusters of branching skinny legs that streak down the edges of the glass
Smell – Lush and warm with layers of fruit and earthy goodness, including black cherry, ripe raspberry and smoky cranberry, with darker mixed berries, soft leather, soft spice of cinnamon and soft clovey gunpowder
Feel – Medium-weight and soft up front, then wet and tender on the mid-palate where soft tannins gently grip in with a soft minerality. The wine coats the mouth and then settles in, where complexity of feel and flavor are revealed at the top of the mouth and all over the tongue
Taste – Balanced, youthful and delicious with ripe red cherry and strawberry leading the way. These flavors linger as smoky and dark mixed berries mingle with soft oak, mild spice, leather and minerals
Finish – A long and full finish that starts off sweet and then tails off to slightly tart, with dusky fruit flavors that linger on and on
Conclusion – This is a fantastic Pinot Noir from one of our very favorite winemakers. We have developed a wonderful friendship with Adam LaZarre and we are blessed with special previews of his newest wines. We have featured a handful of Adam’s wines and we have always, always been impressed and delighted. Today’s 2007 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir is another fantastic Pinot Noir, a varietal that Adam LaZarre seems to enjoy perfect stewardship of – rather than control over. This wine is a very delicious delight that is also very food friendly, and very flexible. I tried something daring with my sample bottle; I paired it with pork fried rice that I added curry powder to. This was a risky pairing, but you know what? It worked beautifully! The wine held up amazingly, actually enhancing the experience. Each brought out additional flavors in the other! This is a perfect companion to a fine meal, but it also makes a complex and conversation-enticing solo-sipping wine. Enjoy!
Mission Report:
The call came in at 2AM, thinking to myself, this had better be good. Wiping my eyes, I answered the phone. The voice at the other end of the line, using a voice scramble, said to meet at the Playboy Mansion in 30 minutes, use name ’Agent Orange’ to get in. While Hef’s place is just around the corner you just can’t show up without looking good. You never know who you might run into.
A speed record breaking shower, quick shave and I threw on my tux, grabbed my spy gear and rushed out the door. I arrived with just seconds to spare.
As always, the party was just getting started so I walked up to the extremely large doorman/bouncer and only said ‘Agent Orange’. Fully expecting a thorough ass-whooping, I tried to hide the flinch of my body as he reached out his hand.
“Right this way, sir…”, as he forcefully gestured me to enter the house. I was lead past dozens of people and carefully treaded over the many a tongue hanging out at the amazing beauty that surrounded me,.. the house silly – what were you thinking?. Thankfully, Agent Blush wasn’t there to supervise me. We reached the back yard and we walked through the gardens to the far side of the swimming pool which was full of lovely eye-candy.
Just before reaching the grotto I saw a familiar face, wearing his trademark dark sunglasses (even though it was now 2:45AM). With a big smile on his face, our good friend and winemaker extraordinaire Adam LaZarre reached out his hand and gave me a big hug.
“I thought you’d like this party”, he said as I nodded with approval at the exceptional scenery, just as I was about to ask why the late notice, Adam thrusted a glass of wine into my hand, almost splashing it onto my neatly pressed white shirt, and said “you MUST taste my new Pinot, It couldn’t wait”.
I took a long sip and trying to hide my excitement (which was already brimming, considering the location), put on the best contemplative face I could. Must not have worked very well, since he just raised up his hand in a ‘High five’ gesture and said ”REDACTED AWESOME!”. He continued, “Exclusive for your Wine Spies Operatives, if you want it, but don’t wait too long, The Rockstar is Back!, and I can’t hold it back forever you know.”
It was indeed awesome, in fact beyond awesome – perhaps one of the nicest Pinot I’ve tasted this year. As we sat there enjoying the party, we quickly polished off the stash of his amazing Pinot Noir. While I can’t get you into the Playboy Mansion, this wine is even better. Enjoy!
