Spent last week in Door County enjoying the scenery, good company, good food and some strange golf (including an unpleasant run in with some natural fertilizer). The highlight was a dinner with friends in an orchard featuring some young wines showing well now and giving a glimpse of real potential.
The wines:
'01 Trimbach CFE: Peach, honey, white flowers, pear, lemon; an intoxicating nose that bloomed with three hours of air. Deep golden yellow. So much fruit that one starts to wonder about RS. A cleansing taste with decent acidity and a stoniness on the finish. Medium bodied. It will be fun to watch this one evolve in the cellar.
'03 Dehlinger Estate Pinot Noir: My first look at the '03s. I gave this two hours of air before dinner. Full on the nose right from the start with plum, black cherry and some vanilla. Creamy and full bodied with red and black fruits. Balanced and lasting. No sharp edges. No rush, however, to open the rest.
'05 La Pousse d'Or Volnay 1er En Caillerets: From .375 with two hours of air. Showing an unexpected (at this stage) earthiness on the nose with spice and red fruits. The red fruits carried forward on the palate. Juicy fruits--still showing some baby fat--a little oak and good grip. Should have a long and enjoyable life ahead of it.
Lovely evening.