Reprinted from May 1, 2009 Issue #57

MAKE ROOM IN THE CELLAR!
“All about texture…”

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Savoy Vineyard 2007

Medium-deep ruby color; very complex and deep cherry and earthy aromas; deep, complex spice, lavender and dusty red cherry flavors with forest floor notes; silky texture, sweet oak; great structure and balance; long finish. This Pinot is all about great structure and texture. The Savoy bottling has definitely become my favorite Roessler bottling over the years and the 2007 is the best one yet. Plenty of potential ahead; be sure to give it some air before you drink it. 268 cases made $46 Score: 97

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Anderson Valley Blue Jay 2007

Medium ruby color; deep, dusty red cherry aromas; complex earthy, dusty red cherry notes; ripe, rich, silky texture, sweet oak, great structure and balance; long finish. Deep, lush Pinot with amazing complexity for the price. 1,076 cases made $32 Score: 94

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Mendocino County Alder Springs Vineyard 2007

Medium ruby color; a bit tight with spicy, herbal aromas of lavender and anise; ripe, complex cherry flavors with herbs and spice notes, sweet oak; silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Earthy, complex Pinot with great aromatics—touches of anise and lavender make this a treat for the nose as well as the palate. 175 cases made $45 Score: 93

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Dutton Ranch 2007

Medium ruby color; ripe cola, spice and red cherry aromas; rich, red cherry flavors with some cinnamon, spice and cola notes; silky texture, a bit of tannin; good structure and balance;long finish. Ripe, rich and forward, this Pinot really has lush texture and delicious fruit. Drink it by itself or with grilled or roasted chicken. 171 cases made $42 Score: 93

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Widdoes Vineyard 2007

Medium ruby color; spicy, complex black cherry aromas with forest floor notes; deep, black cherry flavors with cinnamon spice and forest floor flavors, silky texture, sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, complex and silky Pinot that's great to sip. Needs some air to open up. 121 cases made $48 Score: 94

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills La Encantada Vineyard 2007

Medium-deep ruby color; complex plum aromas with some meaty, earthy notes; rich, ripe, complex flavors of plum and black cherry; earthy with some tannin and toasty oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep, earthy and just a bit closed in right now, needs time in the bottle and in the glass to develop fully. 206 cases made $46 Score: 95

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills Sanford & Benedict Vineyard 2007

Medium-deep ruby color; a little tight but earthy, black cherry aromas start to come through; rich, deep dark cherry and plum flavors; complex smoky and earthy notes; great structure and balance; long finish. Deep, complex and just a baby at this time, this Pinot from one of California's true pioneering vineyards tastes great now but will reward your patience. 164 cases made $48 Score: 97

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Gap's Crown Vineyard 2007

Medium ruby color; deep, complex black cherry and earthy aromas; deep, lush black cherry flavors with earthy forest floor notes, silky texture, sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Lush and complex Pinot with great structure—delicious now but needs time to open up.238 cases made $42 Score: 96

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Griffin's Lair 2007

Medium-deep ruby color; deep, earthy forest floor aromas; rich, ripe and complex dark cherry, forest floor flavors with sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep and nicely complex Pinot from the Lakeville Highway area of the Petaluma Gap. Terrific vineyard, terrific Pinot. 251 cases made $45 Score: 94

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast La Brisa 2007

Medium ruby color; complex dark cherry and earthy aromas; rich, ripe, complex dark cherry flavors with earthy and spice notes; some tannin; good structure and balance; long finish. Layers and layers of flavor make this Pinot one of my perennial favorites of the Roessler line. 1,137 cases made $30 Score: 94

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Griffin's Lair 2007

Medium-deep ruby color; deep, earthy forest floor aromas; rich, ripe and complex dark cherry, forest floor flavors with sweet oak; good structure and balance; long finish. Deep and nicely complex Pinot from the Lakeville Highway area of the Petaluma Gap. Terrific vineyard, terrific Pinot.
251 cases made $45 Score: 94

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Sonoma County Red Label 2007

SMART BUY! “Ripe, spicy, great bargain…”
Medium ruby color; rich, bright, spicy cherry aromas; ripe, bright cherry flavors with a touch of earth and oak; silky texture; good structure and balance; long finish. Ripe and spicy Pinot that's a great bargain on top of being delicious. 1,075 cases made $28 Score: 93

Roessler Cellars
Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Laurelwood 2007

Medium ruby color; earthy, dark cherry aromas that take a bit to open up; rich, complex dark cherry and earthy flavors; a bit of tannin and oak; good structure and balance; long finish. A little dense and closed right now, but this Pinot has some nice earthy cherry flavors and good structure to help in open up over time.
272 cases made $34 Score: 92