'99 Willakenzie Pinot Noir "Aliette"

[Cole]

Nice review on the WillaKenzie '99 Aliette. I had the wine last night and found it to be just as described in the first post. Tonight I want to try the '99 Pierre Leon as comparison. Laurent Montalieu, the winemaker, says he thinks his 99s are some of the best Pinots he's made.

Two days ago I had a just bottled (like, 15 minutes before opening) 2000 Aliette with Laurent, who commented that he particularly liked the spice he saw in it. While we weren't doing a formal tasting, I recall the wine had a bit more bright fruit than the '99, and rich, complex aromatics.

I asked about bottle shock, and Laurent and the others in the room said they have observed that it takes a day or two for bottle shock to develop. Anyway, Laurent also commented what I've heard most other winemakers say: that 2000 is the best combination of the character of '98 and '99 in one wine. Well soon see!!