Woodside Vineyards futures tasting 12/13/08

'03 Brut Sparkling Wine (new release) $36
Nice bead, dry, lemony, yeasty, clean. Very nice. A little chalky on the finish.
This is a huge improvement over what they've done before. (92 pts)

'05 Pinot Noir Estate $36
Nose - Warm, rich, earthy, spicy, blackberry-rhubarb.
Grippy acid, zesty, brambly olallieberry, elusive hint of vanilla, boysenberry. Grapefruit zest and clove on the finish. (93 pts)

'07 Pinot Noir Estate barrel sample $36 ($27 as futures)
Very dark.
Nose - Sweetish nutmeg, ethereal, a bit tight, boysenberry, raspberry.
Lime and mandarin zest, blackberry, orange, black plum, hint of char, pasty mouth feel. (92 pts)
This has about 6 months to go in oak, for a total of about 18 months. Should be interesting to see how this evolves.

'06 Zinfandel Estate barrel sample $30 ($24 as futures)
These vines were planted in 1897 in a warm pocket of sandy loam near Sand Hill Road.
Nose - Wow! Bright, smooth, boysenberry, medley of black and blue fruit, elegant light spice.
Soft dusty tannin, well framed blackberry, balsa, allspice, hint of spice. Very nice. A touch of Draper perfume. (93 pts)
This is nothing like any Zin I've had before, including their previous vintages. I was very pleasantly surprised. Like all their wines it is 100% varietal. This should drink well over the first 5 years after release.

'06 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate barrel sample $40 ($32 as futures)
Nose - Restrained, light-sweet, blackberry.
Tart, watery, exotic spice, grippy tannin, orange zest, heavenly spice finish. (88+ pts)
This should integrate and pick up some weight. It'll be interesting to see how much it improves.

'04 Woodside Port $30 (new release)
100% Zinfandel. 3 years in barrel.
Nose - Warm saturated blackberry and blueberry.
Bright pure fresh blackberry and clove. Not particularly complex, but so pure and hedonistic, I love it! (92 pts)