2012 Soliste, Pinot Noir “Narcisse” Sonoma Coast.
This joyous Pinot Noir, made in a restrained old world style, can’t hide it’s generous nature and in fact shows perfectly what nature itself gave it, this is beautiful wine of pure pleasure in the glass. Soliste is just starting to breakout and I’m very impressed with what I’ve seen, especially the Narcisse 2012, this is certainly a winner. Soliste has the talents of Ryan Zapaltas known for his own wines and for his time at famed Pinot house Siduri where he worked with Adam Lee. The owners of Soliste, Claude Koeberle and Don Plumley were inspired by Burgundy, and Claude even hails from the Cote d’Or, these two wanted to make wines that clearly transmitted terroir and elegance, and with Soliste they have made that wine. They looked for a new path, but took notes from Henri Jayer who produced some of Burgundies finest ever wines, and while the Soliste wines are not quite to that level, they are lovely and worth searching out, they look to be easier to find now too, I myself had trouble getting a bottle in the past, but it was worth the wait. Soliste is set to join Cobb, Hirsch, Failla and Peay in class and style, these are some of the new wave of refined Pinot Noir producers looking to craft more delicate wine, they are part of a group In Pursuit of Balance, which seems to be catching on, regardless these are delicious Pinots that deserve attention. The 2012 Narcisse is bright and vivid with rose petals, tangy currants, morello cherry and earthy spices leading the way along with wild strawberry, loganberry, black tea, mineral essence and a hint of French oak. Soft tannin, vibrant acidity and sumptuous fruit make for a complete and balanced wine, Soliste in this vintage have nailed it, this is wonderful stuff, drink now through 2021.
($42 Est.) 93 Points, grapelive
