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Wine Recommendation
Twin Oaks Cellars
2005 Pinot Noir, Amber Ridge Vineyard(Russian River Valley)
Mark Weiner is a high tech marketing guru who has spun thru the Silicon Valley Network scene like a fine silkworm. In doing so, he picked up some good connections, including Rob Jensen from Testarossa, where he worked as a cellar rat, learning a good deal from winemaker Bill Brousseau. Bit by the winemaking bug, Weiner has gone on to make some very fine, very silky, extremely small production, Pinots.
Enamoured of the wine that local Pinot master Tony Craig (Savannah-Chanelle and Sonnet Cellars) made from Amber Ridge Vineyard earlier in the decade, Mark sourced some fruit from this Russian River Valley vineyard in 2005. The vineyard has since been purchased by Nickel & Nickel. The fruit is both Pommard and Dijon clones. It was aged in a combination of Francoise Frères and Tonnellerie Remond barrels.
Although young and very wood-influenced, it is absolutely classic strawberry rhubarb pie Pinot Noir with lots of good acidity and a very pleasing texture. The nose is lovely with Earl Grey tea and perfume, and the wood adds nice notes of crème brulee and cedar. Thank goodness it is light on its feet. The lemongrass and basil notes, along with some sassafras and gooseberry flavours, make this an extremely delightful wine.
Reviewed November 15, 2007 by Laura Ness.
Other Awards & Accolades
90 Points -- Pinot Report
The Wine
Winery: Twin Oaks Cellars |
The Reviewer
Laura Ness
A wine writer and wine judge for major publications and competitions around the country, Laura Ness likens wine to the experience of music. She is always looking for that ubiquitous marriage of rhythm, melody, and flawless execution. What is good music? You know it when you get lost in it. What is good wine? It is music in your mouth. |