by Jenise » Fri Oct 19, 2012 2:01 pm
So what do people think of these wines? Evening Land is the Oregon winery (they may make some wines in California as well?) funded by the splendid Lafon family of Burgundian fame. Most notoriously, they bought the Seven Springs vineyard out from under Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent, whose reputation was essentially built on the fruit of the vineyard and who, of course, also tried to buy it.
I've had very little experience with the wines. Tasted one pinot that may not have been vineyard specific at a friends house a few years ago when the wines got their first big buzz from The Speck--he sought it out after reading about them--and I have to say I wasn't especially impressed. It wasn't bad, but there was no "oh wow" from me. I did say that about one of his gamays, which is bottled under a label called, I think, 'Celebration'. (If that's not right, it's another name that sounds like a cruise ship.) That causes me to remark that 'Evening Land' isn't that hot a name to my way of thinking either--sounds like one of those low-end names Gallo comes up with to expressly appeal to women, like Gossamer Bay.
Anyway, just wondering what other people's experience is? Just got a flyer from someone in Napa touting some fairly high scores (and prices), as follows:
2010 EVENING LAND Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Seven Springs Vineyard La Source $57.99 Wine Spectator (Advance) - 95 points (2007 shown) "Remarkable for its array of vivid flavors on a sleek, airy frame, shading its juicy raspberry and cherry fruit with a streak of wet rock,crushed rose petal and white pepper, all of it put together seamlessly. The finish just doesn't quit". Drink now through 2020. 971 cases made
2010 EVENING LAND Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Seven Springs Vineyard $42.99 Wine Spectator (Advance)- 93 points
"Light and silky, this is beguiling for the way it deftly plays its polished red berry and black cherry fruit against glints of mineral and white pepper. The finish brings it all together seamlessly". Drink now through 2018. 1,158 cases made
2010 EVENING LAND Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Seven Springs Vineyard Red Queen $71.99 Wine Spectator (Advance) - 92 points (2008 shown)
Lots of ripe cherry and spice flavors play with deftness on an open frame. This is generous with its fruit and shows subtle hints of black pepper and licorice, finishing with intensity and impressive length". Drink now through 2018. 311 cases made
My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov