Valerie’s Vineyard is a one-acre, single-vineyard, organically farmed Carneros Pinot Noir produced by a five-family-member partnership.
For those familiar with the 2006, the price of the '07 might be confusing. Unlike in the fantasy world of Bordeaux, one where prices always rise, regardless of the quality of the vintage, vagaries of Mother Nature, the economy or whatever, new releases typically don't reflect big price increases from year to year. Instead, there are incremental movements (usually, though not always, upward).
The 2007 Valerie's Vineyard Pinot is an exception to that rule. A peek at the production numbers in large measure explains it. Only 88 cases were made of the '07. There were 132 of the '06. Neither number is very big, obviously, but the difference between the two (33% for those keeping score) is big. Like anything, it costs money to make wine. When the winemaker is working with small batches of the stuff like Michael and Valerie Coats are, the less you make, the less bottles there are to spread costs around. And unless you're making thousands of bottles (minimum) instead of 1,000, there are no economies of scale to cushion the pain.
My "allocation" of the 2007 was 15 cases (it seems funny to use such a serious industry term in the case of Valerie's Vineyard, because outside of me in New York City, there is no other distribution other than on Michael and Valerie's home turf of Napa/Sonoma). I got 20 cases of the '06. And what's worse, there are only going to be 75 cases of the '08!
Is the '07 a "better" wine than the '06? Who knows? Though personally, I like the '07 a bit more than the '06. It all depends on what you like. Regardless, the '07 cost me more than the '06, so it will cost you more as well. Sorry.
The 2007 is intensely perfumed, exhibiting strawberry, raspberry and loamy notes framed by a tangy mouth-feel. It partners well with red meats, and thanks to its lovely balance, salmon as well.
88 cases produced
GET IT AT
First & Vine
Blue Hill
Print.
Valerie’s Vineyard is a one-acre, single-vineyard, organically farmed Carneros Pinot Noir produced by a five-family-member partnership.
What I think I like best about Valerie's Vineyard (other than the wine) is the total and complete refusal of Michael and Valerie Coats (the prime movers behind this family project) be interested in anything other than growing the best pinot noir grapes they can. There is attention to the details—after all, they live next to the vineyard, so they are in it virtually every day—but NO attention to the trappings of wine country life. "We don't farm for pretty," as Michael told me when I met them both last summer in Carneros.
The 2006 shows inviting brambly red fruit and cola nut notes balanced by loamy earth and zesty acidity. Its food-friendly structure makes it an ideal partner with braises, roast salmon and grilled meats.
132 cases produced
GET IT AT
Bar Boulud
Blue Hill Restaurant
Print.
P.D. O'Hurley's @ West End
THE CALIFORNIA INTRO WILL COME SHORTLY!