2007 Sojourn Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

[wondersofwine]

New producer for me. Got rave reviews and high scores on another wine forum so I wanted to try. I ordered Pinots from four appellations and two different Cabernet Sauvignon wines from Sojourn. This was the first one I opened.

14.3% alcohol
Grapes are from four different vineyards and five clones. The vineyards are Sangiocomo's Lakeville and Roberts Road properties, Windsor Oak, and Sullivan. Deep ruby color with some purple tints. Purple grapey nose. Initially tastes both extracted and acidic to me with boysenberry and blueberry in the flavors. Initially rather startling and not too appealing. Liked it somewhat better with the second and subsequent glasses. It may take a little getting used to the style. I would rate it in the mid- to high '80's--not in the 90's as I have seen elsewhere. The winemaker says he feels the blend needs a year of bottling to integrate and should be coming around late 2009. Will be interested to see what I think of the other Pinots and the Cabernet.

[winoweenie]

WOW me love don't you think the norm is for the guy who finds a producer 1st declares this phenomenal new juice one of the best around. I've found that most of these drinkers would proclaim Aunt Maudes Rhubarb wine the greatest drink since the 49 Mouton. I taste and then decide what the weener thinks before plunking down cold hard for a producer with no track record. WW

[wondersofwine]

I think I was swayed by the number of people posting high accolades but OTOH, these were on a Robert Parker-related website and there is probably a tendency to favor extracted, high alcohol wines. We'll see in time as I try the other Pinots and the Cabernet Sauvignon.