2000 Cambria Julia's Pinot Noir, Santa Maria Valley

[dananne]

I like the leaner, more delicate, lighter pinots with a whiff of earth or forest floor. The jammy stuff does nothing for me. I've had some heavily extracted stuff from Burgundy (esp. from the 99 vintage), but I've found many, of late, from Cali. Maybe too much sun for the grape? I don't know, other than to say I've preferred the cooler versions for the reasons above. It seems to me that the grape NEEDS to work a bit harder to ripen fully, and if it is too easy, then you're left with a jammy fruit bomb. I, too, have leaned more toward the Oregon ones. Wonders, though, made a very good point about the variety of styles.

Of the Julia's Vineyard from Cambria, my favorite lately was the 98. Lots of pine needles there, and a lighter frame, overall.

[This message has been edited by dananne (edited 09-19-2003).]