2001 Talisman Kathy's Cuvee Carneros Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 81 cases. While Scott and Marta were bottling their 2001 Carneros Pinot Noir in 2003, they learned of the tragic death of a dear friend, Kathy Polucha-Kessler, who was one of seven skiers killed in an avalanche in British Columbia. The Richs' bottled this special wine made from the grapes of Las Brisas Vineyard, donating a portion of the profits from the sale of this wine to the Truckee Donner Land Trust, a cause that Kathy espoused. · Describing this wine was a challenge for me since this is a Jekyl and Hyde Pinot. Initially it had little aromas and was flat, bitter and stemmy. Decanting the wine and waiting a couple of hours brought forth an interesting Pinot Noir which continued to improve over the ensuing two days. The nose blossomed with aromas of earthy cherries and nutmeg. A silky core of cinnamon-laced cherries, leather, spice, mushrooms and sandalwood developed and the wine was striking. This is an argument for giving wines time to open up. Reviewed May 1, 2006

Winery: Talisman