Not a lousy memory as in a bad experience, more of the "now where did I put my keys" variety. So I got myself on Enfield's mailing list and placed a small order between releases, and decided to open the first of three bottles of the Enfield 2015 Chalone Pinot Noir, Antle Vineyard. Tight as a drum, so decanted it vigorously, and it slowly -- very slowly -- began to show a little of its stuff; there's some intense, bright, red and black berry liqueur and minerality, but this seems mostly potential right now. So why'd I think it would be ready now? I must've read something! Following the breadcrumbs, I came here, did a search... and found David telling me a year ago that if he'd known I was going to open the 2014, he'd have advised me not to. Sigh...
The next night, we opened a Porter Creek 2013 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir and had a very different experience: this was forward and giving, running a broad spectrum from tart cranberry to sweeter and deeper flower-laced black fruit, and the barest bit of vanilla. A hint of something savory -- not quite gamey, more like fennel-seed -- is just enough of a counterpoint on the back end to keep it from being obvious. Not a wine that stops you in its tracks with its complexity, but the sheer exuberance is seductive, and it's not overdone. The third of seven bottles -- and, as if to reassure me that I've still got a few marbles left -- pretty much just as I remember it.
