2007 Kastania Proprietor's Rsv Sonoma Pinot Half Case

6 x 2007 Kastania Proprietor's Reserve Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

It's a rarity to find this level of soulfulness in a Pinot Noir, and the constant hunt is explained well in the movie Sideways. Fortunately for you, the search ends here (and not alone in a burger joint, drinking out of a Styrofoam cup).

These wines are made by Leslie Sisneros, one of the truly gifted Pinot Noir winemakers in California. I think of her wines as luxuriously supple, offering the balance, poise and ethereal presence of Cate Blanchett blended with the authoritative and complex elegance of Helen Mirren. Leslie is an outstanding winemaker, and this is a helluva wine.

Kastania is owned by Hoot and Linda Smith. This idyllic piece of property has been in Hoot's family since the 1860s; it's located atop a knoll overlooking the famed Petaluma Wind Gap, on Kastania Road. Hoot and Linda had the good sense to plant this land with slightly more than 5 acres of Pinot Noir. At first they sold the fruit to Landmark Vineyard and others, but they eventually started using it for small, estate-bottled Pinot Noir made exclusively under the Kastania label.

Upon the first sip, you'll appreciate the history, passion and beauty of this delicious wine. Or you'll just be too excited to care.

Tasting Note
There's purity to the sweet, red fruit in the nose, primarily Bing cherry, cranberry, Italian sweet red plum and a hint of vanilla. With additional aeration, the aromas evolve to cola, a dash of herbs and a faint cardamom note, which comes from a kiss of new French oak. Bottle age has given the wine a seductive silkiness on the palate, with a forward fruit center of baked cherry pie, cinnamon and cranberry. This wine has a couple more years of development in it, and plenty of life left after that.

—Punky Mahle

Punky Mahle has more than 15 years of experience in the wine and food industries, most recently with luxury resorts. Before joining Lot18 as a Napa/Sonoma Wine Specialist, Punky was a sommelier with The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Ariz., and the wine director for the Ritz Carlton in Phoenix. Punky currently lives, works and plays in Napa Valley. She’s thrilled to share her backyard with Lot18 members and be able to bring the region’s most exciting wines to the community. Learn more about Punky here, or follow her on Twitter: @punkytime