Medici Vineyards, 'Estate East Block', Pinot Noir, 2002
I have yet to actually ever go out and visit the Medici Vineyards, so I can't help with how they pronounce "medici". Is it ME-de-chee? Or maybe me-DE-chee? Or perhaps meh-deh-CHEE? Someday, I'll find out.
Either way, I really like the wines from Medici Vineyards. Back before we started this blog, we drank a fair amount of their 2000 vintage. The steward at Zupan's back then was a fan and turned me on to their great tasting wines.
Apparently, they've kept some stock of various vintages and have been releasing them over the last year. A year ago, you could find some 1999 and 2000 bottles of theirs on the grocery store shelves. I think those had just peaked; they were just lightly thin (but not overly so) and really earthy. So when I saw this 2002 on the shelf and Fred Meyer, I had to try it -- especially at $22 for the bottle.
The frst impressing of the nose was all-spice -- and it was hard to smell anything else. That changed over time to more cinnamon. And then later still it was a combo of spice and fruit -- plum. The aroma also included: dust, cayenne, and chili spices . Not sharp at all. Denise said it was organic potting soil mixed with dark red spices.
The taste was predominantly black cherries. The finish turned to pomegranate, and a little but of that apple dryness. The fruit at this late point turned to a distinct prune, with subtle black currant.
We both really liked this wine, especially for the cost. Denise really liked the spiciness, and added: "This is the wine that the wolf would drink while he ate the Gingerbread man". However it's said, this was an exceptional wine for the price.
Cost:
Rating:
8.0