Grapelive Weekend Wine
By Kerry Winslow
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2007 Bjornstad Pinot Noir Van Der Kamp Vineyard Sonoma Mountain.
Greg Bjornstad of Flowers and Tandem fame, is making some amazing wines under his own label and is also making some cult Pinots for clients as well. I sang and crowed about his 2006 Van Der Kamp Pinot, and recently screamed loudly about his fantastic new releases, including his 2007 Porter-Bass Vineyard Chardonnay which I regard as one of the top wines I’ve had in the last year. This vintage Bjornstad Van Der Kamp Pinot is a gem, a wonderful savory wine that reminds of a fine Gevrey-Chambertin with pure flavors and remarkable balance and lovely elegance. This intense Pinot Noir opens with rose pedal oil, and zesty raspberry and goes deep on the palate with fresh black cherry, plum and violets with mineral, asian spices, cassis and smoky sweet vanilla. This is a world class Pinot Noir that is so real and terroir driven that it is hard to imagine a better wine and I can’t even find words to explain it! It will only get better with some age, but it is sublime now. ($40-45 Est.) 94-95 Points, grapelive
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