WTN: 1996 Pinot Noir Shootout -- CA vs. OR

Okay, maybe it was more like High Noon, with a quick draw and a clean kill.

The Combatants? Joseph Swan, Estate Vineyard versus St. Innocent, Brickhouse Vineyard. Unfortunately it was a one-sided contest. There was no slow buildup of suspense.

The St. Innocent is hollow in the middle, with little fruit left. I couldn't drink it -- down to the drain gods -- no redeeming qualities.

The Swan Estate is another story. Still sporting bright fruit, with earthy, chicken shit nuances, the wine shows nice complexity and a lot of life ahead of it. I'm glad I still have a few in the cellar.

What vintages?

What vintages?

See subject line.

My bad.

Too bad about the SI. Mark V's notes say "Spice, white pepper, rasberries, complex, quite rich". But a hollow middle with no fruit is not a good thing. It is pushing the age envelope for that wine.

The Swan sounds like it is singing along. Nice. I really like the way well made RRVs drink around this age.

Jason

Jason, some of my 96 Panther Creeks are drinking well right now, so it is not just OR versus CA for king of the hill bragging rights. Frankly, I was surprised the SI did not hold up. Maybe it is the vineyard -- I don't know. The SI Seven Springs has always been long lived, but the Brickhouse is disappointing. I better check my 96 Freedom Hill wines.

Jason, some of my 96 Panther Creeks are drinking well right now, so it is not just OR versus CA for king of the hill bragging rights. Frankly, I was surprised the SI did not hold up. Maybe it is the vineyard -- I don't know. The SI Seven Springs has always been long lived, but the Brickhouse is disappointing. I better check my 96 Freedom Hill wines.

Maybe it is the Vineyard. I know the Brickhouse drinks well young but I have not had one this old. Freedom Hill is a more tannic wine so maybe it has held up better. And the 94 7 Springs is alive and kicken...certainly not hollow.

Jason