2001 Flora Springs Trilogy - USA, California, Napa Valley (5/25/2009)
I used to buy the Trilogy fairly often but I think I stopped around 99 with prices jumping. I tried the 01 and really enjoyed it so I grabbed some bottles. The tasty Trilogy fruit is now shifting. This is still very pleasurable. Lots of complexity on the nose. From dried herbs, chocolate, dark berries and a bit of syrah. The wine is still rich and full bodied. Lots of acid through the middle. The fruit is going behind the acid and tannin. Could be drying out. The finish is long but tart in a way that wasn't totally working for me. Still, I thought this was very good. (92 pts.)
2000 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (5/21/2009)
had over 3 days
It took a little while for the aromatics to wake up but when they did, there were lots of spice and herbs mixed dried red fruits. I can't say that I have ever loved a Freedom Hill pinot. They were hard as nails or just a little boring. At first sip I was a little shocked but the confronting tannins and thought this may go in the hard as nails camp. But after just a little time, this became tasty balanced. Maybe I have been wrong about Freedom Hill Pinot. On the third day the wine started to dry out. Certainly has tannin and acid but I am not sure how much longer before the fruit starts to fade. (92 pts.)