A distributor friend and his new girlfriend came over for dinner. He mentioned that his company had just picked up the Evening Land account and offered to bring a few. I mentioned that I had an Evening Land Grand Cru burgundy--so a theme was born.
2015 Michelle Philipon Côte de Beaune Villages Pinot Noir
Purchased because I thought it drank well above its class, and serving it in the company of the wines below proved it. Solid, bold fruit with spice and sass.
2015 Réyane et Pascal Bouley Monthélie 1er Cru Les Clous Pinot Noir
Medium bodied cherry/spice with some surprising (for '15) green notes. Tasty enough but not compelling.
2011 Evening Land Vineyards Clos Vougeot Clos Vougeot Grand Cru Pinot Noir
Decanted for most of a day. Loosened up well, and while lacking the concentration one would expect of a grand cru, the Burgundian essence was very much there. Fun to compare at the same meal with it's American cousins.
2017 Evening Land Vineyards Gamay Noir Seven Springs Eola - Amity Hills
This is the first American gamay I've had with the light body, taupe-y color and light, complex flavors of the real thing. A distrib friend brought over this, the pinot and the chard, and this was the wine that impressed me the most.
2015 Evening Land Vineyards Pinot Noir Seven Springs Eola - Amity Hills
Medium bodied, some sweetness. Nice, but lacks the complex character I expected based on many years of St. Innocent's work with this vineyard.
2016 Evening Land Vineyards Chardonnay Seven Springs Vineyard Eola - Amity Hills
Balanced, dynamic, hits on all cylinders for chardonnay without overplaying its power.