Stephan and Walker 2008 Pinot Noir

I just got this Sonoma Coast pinot last weekend when we visited the Stephan and Walker tasting room in Healdsburg while camping for 4th of July. I'm a wine club member at Stephan and Walker so I get shipments and visit fairly often since we camp in Guerneville quite often. I've met the wine maker before, and he's a very interesting guy to talk to. I learned a lot about the science behind wine making! They use GCMS and IR spectroscopy to identify many of the compounds in wine - many of the aromas are esters formed by the yeast as byproducts of anaerobic respiration. (sorry, chemist :) ) Anyway, though, on to the wine!

Visual

The wine is a translucent violet and reflects the light in the room quite delightfully. It is also quite viscous, sticking to the sides of the glass and flowing down slowly upon swirling.

Aroma

Fruity aromas like cherry dominate with a wonderful undertone of chocolate.

Taste and Texture

The wine has quite a light body but leaves a lasting impression on the tongue. Tannins create a faint hint of dryness in the finish, suggesting that the wine could be allowed to develop for a year or two.

Overall impressions

Stephan and Walker impresses yet again! It's definitely a full and interesting wine to drink, bringing out some of the best characteristics of the (notoriously) fickle Pinot grapes.