We decided it was time to try these two early vintages of Flowers Pinot Noir to see how they are faring with age. The ’96 has always been one of our favorites from this producer, while the ’95 has long been held by many to be far too tannic for the fruit to survive the long haul. Here’s what we found:

1995 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Camp Meeting Ridge Moon Select, 13.5% alc.: There’s little if any rust to the deep dark garnet color here, and the fairly rich black cherry and plum bouquet gains some earthiness in the flavors. Kim found it “green and stemmy, with this a camphor, Vaseline ® aroma.” There’s still some tannins here, and the richness of the aromatics doesn’t follow through in the flavors. It’s not as well oaked as Flowers wines are often accused of being, and a little coffee emerges on the nose with air. I might have thought that the nay sayers are right and that the fruit is fading since our last taste three years ago, but there was a good glass left the following night, which I helped myself to, since Kim wasn’t impressed with it. I found a much more harmonious wine, one that was very soft and enjoyable to sip over an hour and a half. Perhaps this is one that needs plenty of air (not an uncommon characteristic with pinot noir), and indeed, I’ll give our last bottle a good half-day in a decanter when we open it some time in the next year. This is not a “great” wine by any means, but neither is it the impenetrable tannin monster that some have claimed it would always be.

1996 Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Camp Meeting Ridge Moon Select, 13.5% alc.: This smoky dark garnet is still pretty much everything we remember from previous tastings; it’s rich, ripe and delicious, with big black cherry, plum and sweet spice flavors and aromas. Is there oak present? Yes, but it’s nicely integrated for my tastes. Tannins are unobtrusive, with a smooth texture, good acidity and a nice long finish. This is one of those syrah-like pinot noirs that seems to be so controversial these days, especially with those who argue the varietal should only be made in one style, but I’m not a member of that camp. I only wish we had more to enjoy over the next few years.

Reporting from Day-twah,

geo t.

Give me a fast connection and a bottle of Geyserville and I'm out of here!

Thanks to Mark H. for bringing the '95 Flowers on Saturday for "happy day." I have to respectfully disagree with geo t. and say that the bottle we had a few days ago had NO signs of age, was absolutely loaded, and clearly had years left on it. I agree with the slight coffee aroma and the fruity bouquet. I thought this WAS a great wine and would score it somewhere around at 93-94. Not sure if Mark decanted it or not? Mark?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: haggis,

quote:

Originally posted by haggis:
Thanks to Mark H. for bringing this over on Saturday for "happy day." I have to respectfully disagree with geo t. and say that the bottle we had a few days ago had NO signs of age, was absolutely loaded, and clearly had years left on it. I agree with the slight coffee aroma and the fruity bouquet. I thought this WAS a great wine and would score it somewhere around at 93-94. Not sure if Mark decanted it or not? Mark?

I assume you're referring to the '95, here and not the '96. Our last bottle showed pretty much as described above (I love how these old notes occasionally get resuscitated), and others have dissed this wine far worse than I. Nevertheless, it IS 10 years old, and different bottles seem to go different ways with that much time, so I'm glad you liked this one so well. Looking forward to Mark chiming in here as well.

quote:

Originally posted by geo t.:
I assume you're referring to the '95, here and not the '96.

Yes, I meant the '95! I edited my notes above to include that reference. So, you like the fact that these old notes sometimes get resurrected and I like the fact that someone actually reads these damn things!

quote:

Originally posted by haggis:

quote:

Originally posted by geo t.:
I assume you're referring to the '95, here and not the '96.

Yes, I meant the '95! I edited my notes above to include that reference. So, you like the fact that these old notes sometimes get resurrected and I like the fact that someone actually reads these damn things!

I love the archives.

The '95 Flowers CMR Moon Select was the first bottle I've opened from my original stash, and I won't open another for five years. It was massive in every respect, and perhaps too big for its own good, but there was some semblance of balance. It did not seem to have the oak or tannin problems that others have reported.

I had a "regular" '95 CMR not long ago, and I felt it was almost as youthful as the '95 Moon Select but better balanced and more complex.

Mark

quote:

Originally posted by Mark Horvatich:
The '95 Flowers CMR Moon Select was the first bottle I've opened from my original stash, and I won't open another for five years. It was massive in every respect, and perhaps too big for its own good, but there was some semblance of balance. It did not seem to have the oak or tannin problems that others have reported.

I had a "regular" '95 CMR not long ago, and I felt it was almost as youthful as the '95 Moon Select but better balanced and more complex.

Mark, weren't those vines around 5 years old when they produced the fruit that went into these wines?

I think 5yo was about the average age at that time -- the original vineyard was probably 10yo by then, but the two vineyards Walt and Joan planted had their first crop in 1994...

Time to head out to Cleveland to see Larry, the Colonel, Florida Jim, and the Ice Cream Man. Hope to see you there!

Mark

I have a '96 Camp Meeting Ridge (regular). Any thoughts on when might be a good time to pop this puppy? TIA

The alcohol content of the wines stood out dramatically to me. My, how trends change in such a short time.

quote:

Originally posted by eyesintime:
I have a '96 Camp Meeting Ridge (regular). Any thoughts on when might be a good time to pop this puppy? TIA

Now. This was an excellent vintage up on the ridge where they do do the boogie, and we drank ours up last year, to our great satisfaction.

Post notes, if you would.