2007 Robert Stemmler Winery Nugent Vineyard Pinot Noir
Mission Codename: The Spirit of Pinot Noir
Operative: Agent Red
Objective: Return to Operative favorite, Robert Stemmler Winery, and acquire their delicious Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: Robert Stemmler Winery
Wine Subject: 2007 Nugent Vineyard Pinot Noir – Russian River Valley
Winemaker: Kenneth Juhasz
Backgrounder: The Russian River Valley, in Sonoma County, produces Pinot Noir of remarkable distinction. The cooler maritime conditions of the region make the RRV ideal for growing Pinot Noir. The Russian River Valley in Sonoma is particularly well suited to producing exceptional Pinot Noir. This AVA was officially designated in 1983, but many of the wines in the region used the designation as early as the 1970s (early in California’s wine history) with the many of the vines having been first planted in the early 1900s. Read Agent Red’s mission report and tasting notes below for the full intel on this exciting wine.
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Pure red cherry juice, translucent like cherry jell-o, with a bouncy surface that settles quickly when the wine is swirled. Tall legs start high up on the glass. They start slowly, then rocket downward to the surface of the wine.
Smell – Dark black cherry, bramble blackberry and earthy strawberry are the predominant notes. These sit atop earthy strawberry, raspberry and subtle aromas of tomato stem, tobacco tin, and the softest hint of mulchy earth.
Feel – Smooth and fast across the entry, then medium bodied and softly grippy, spreading a soft mineral-driven dryness from the front of the palate to the rear.
Taste – Dark black cherry, raspberry, young strawberry and green tobacco are the primary flavors. These are followed by more subtle flavors of green tobacco leaf, stewed fig, plum and black pepper.
Finish – Very long in length with the lingering smokt-tart red-fruit, earthy fig and black pepper, with a balanced acidity that adds a mouth-watering effect at the tail end.
Conclusion – This 2007 Nugent Vineyard Pinot Noir is another delicious wine from our freinds at Robert Stemmler Winery. We are always dazzled by their exceptional Pinot Noir, and we impressed by the diversity and differences between their Pinots. We showcased their spectacular 2007 Carneros Pinot, earlier this year, and today’s Russian River Pinot is every bit as great. The wine shows off the terroir of the Russian River Valley – and the skills of winemaker, Kenneth Juhasz. This wine is a balanced, delicious wine in more of an old world style than the Carneros, and we loved every sip. Drinking beautifully, this wine is cellar-worthy, as well.
Mission Report:
WINEMAKER INTEL BRIEFING DOSSIER
SUBJECT: Kenneth Juhasz
WINE EDUCATION: Industry Learned
CALIFORNIA WINE JOB BRIEF: Began working with Donum Estate in 2002, now consult with several California wineries and own Auteur
WINEMAKING PHILOSOPHY: Dualism, great structure while maintaining elegance.
FIRST COMMERCIAL WINE RELEASE: Summer 2003 – 2002 Stemmler Carneros Estate Grown Pinot Noir
WINEMAKER INTERVIEW
AGENT WHITE: Greetings, Kenneth, we are thrilled to be showing your 2007 Nugent Vineyard Russian River Valley Pinot Noir today. Thanks so much for taking some time to answer questions for our Operatives today.
KENNETH: Great to be here.
WHITE: Was there a specific experience in your life that inspired your love of wine?
KENNETH: No, it was a series of experiences in the restaurant business where I came to understand the beauty and lifestyle of wine and the culture around it.
WHITE: What wine or winemaker has most influenced your winemaking style?
KENNETH: Montrachet
WHITE: Who do you make wine for?
KENNETH: I make wine for the vineyard, I do everything or as little as possible to let the vineyard speak.
WHITE: Please tell me a little bit about the wine we are featuring today.
KENNETH: 2007 was a terrific vintage. The Nugent Vineyard is located in Russian River Valley. Anne Moller Racke planted these 11 acres of Dijon Clones in 1997. The fruit is spectacular and opulent, juicy…a very forward wine, yet with structure to carry through to the supple finish. Think Bing cherry, cranberry and black plum and delicate traces of black tea and cloves.
WHITE: What is your favorite pairing with today’s wine?
KENNETH: Salmon, seared simply in olive oil, sea salt and ground pepper.
WHITE: In your opinion, what makes the Russian River Valley so special?
KENNETH: Unique micro-climate creates perfect balance in our wines. The fog cools the night air keeping our acidity bright allowing for our wines to age beautifully.
WHITE: What is occupying your time at the winery these days?
KENNETH: With all of the fruit just in from the 2010 harvest, CRUSH!
WHITE: How would you recommend people approach your wines and wine in general?
KENNETH: Do not expect all power. Look for, and enjoy, finesse.
WHITE: Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
KENNETH: Thank you, it has been a pleasure working with you.
WHITE: Thank you so much for your time. We learned a lot about you – and your wine. Keep up the great work, we are big fans!
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The approximate location of the Robert Stemmler Winery can be seen in this satellite photo.
