Grapelive Daily Pick

By Kerry Winslow

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molnarpinot07.gif2007 Molnar Family Pinot Noir “Poseidon Vineyard” Carneros, Napa Valley (California).
This little known label has found some magic with this vintage of Carneros Pinot Noir and I hope lots of people get a chance to try it. The Molnar’s winemaker used to make the fabled Hanzell Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and takes that knowledge and craft to this wine and I think it has all come together perfectly, a great vintage, winemaker and committed owners. They do things a bit different and use only Hungarian oak barrels, giving respect to their family heritage I presume. That said, a lot of French winemakers from Burgundy and French coopers swear by the Hungarian wood and this wine is not affected in any bad way by its use. I was a sceptic, I admit that, but I was proven wrong and I confess this wine tastes as though it had high quality French oak, very impressive. In prior tastings this had not been the case, so I will look ahead with a much more open mind. This vintage of Molnar Pinot is rich and round with pure Pinot character and class, with lots of depth and style. The nose has roses and dried flowers with lots of fruit on the palate leading with cherry, raspberry, plum and tea spices along with a lush and silky body. This wine is subtle, but intriguing with a sexy lingering finish, and it should fill out with a bit of cellaring, though I wouldn’t wait too long to enjoy it as it is very lovely right now. ($35 Est.) 92-93 Points, grapelive

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