Winery - Talisman
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is Steve MacRostie’s vineyard, located in the far northwest of the appellation, practically in Sonoma Coast. Their ’04 strikes me as a little heavy and obvious now, but that may be a function of its relative youth. The wine is dry and crisp, with jammy raspberry, cherry, cola and spice flavors. Could do interesting things in the next 3–5 years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The vineyard is in a cool area of this sprawling appellation southwest of Sebastopol, but the heat of the vintage shows in the wine’s relative softness and ripeness of fruit. The cherries, raspberries and dates are almost, but not quite, cooked, bringing to mind a Fig Newton cookie. Scores high on the deliciousness scale, but it’s not a wine for the cellar. Drink now.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is the softest and sweetest of Talisman’s three other ’04 single-vineyard wines. The cherry cola, licorice, root beer and cinnamon spice flavors are indeed delicious, but the wine needs greater structural integrity, and is a little obvious in its appeal. Drink now.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Well defined and focused, with fine-tuned tannins that support a complex web of black cherry, licorice, herb, raspberry, coffee and spice flavors. Long and smooth on the finish. The wine’s named in honor of Kathy Polucha-Kessler, who died in an avalanche while skiing. A portion of the profits from sales go to the Truckee Donner Land Trust in her name.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A smooth-textured wine, with pretty cherry notes at its core. It fans out to reveal hints of licorice, smoke and herbs, all framed in elegant tannins. The finish is moderate in length.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The facts look really good: low yields, modest alcohol, good acidity, the best clones, lots of new French oak and, of course, great grapes. It’s rich, silky and complex, a gorgeous, raspberry-infused expression of Russian River.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
An excellent Pinot Noir that’s consistent with Talisman’s recent string of successes. The wine is rich in acidity and complex, with earthy, mushroomy flavors of cherries and sweet raspberries. Lots of smoky oak, but it’s beautifully integrated. Drink now–2015.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Very rich, offering up a wealth of ripe cherry, berry, cola, bacon and spice flavors that finish long and dry. The texture is fine and silky. Shows some immaturity, so you might want to let it rest for a year or two.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A good, rich wine, brimming with ripe, fruity raspberries and cherries and lots of savory spices. Feels a bit rustic, with a sweet, caramelized finish. Drink soon.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
You have to consider the vintage to understand this Pinot, which comes from prime, southern valley terroir. It was very hot, the earliest harvest ever, and it was difficult for vintners to achieve total balance. The ’04 Ted’s Vineyard is certainly forward in cherries, cola, spice and chocolate, and it has a nice, silky mouthfeel. But it lacks the acidic crispness that makes for balance. Drink now.
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