2005 Ken Wright Cellars: Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir

Jon and I were planning to open this bottle on New Year’s Eve, but instead I was down for the count with a bad cold.  So we waited until this weekend, and uncorked the bottle.

We got this wine from Jon’s grandfather’s cellar after he passed away.  Each of his grandchildren were invited to choose a few bottles, and this was one of the bottles that Jon selected.  We have been waiting for a good time to open this one, and Jon has been watching the internet reviews on when the best time would be.  And what better time than to ring in a New Year!?  Even if it was delayed a few days so I could actually taste the wine.

2005 Ken Wright Cellars Carter Vineyard Pinot Noir

We opened the bottle in the early afternoon, before heading out for a little trip to Nooksack Falls.  We wanted to give it a few hours to breathe.  We came home after giving it some time, and tried it for the first time.  The color of this wine was not your typical Pinot Noir; it was a darker brownish red that was much more like a mature Cabernet Sauvignon.  On the nose, I picked up ripe blackberries, smoke and a little bit of cola.

On the palate, this wine is fantastic.  It is a wonderfully balanced wine, with the flavors blending together.  There is not as much acidity as I would expect in a Pinot Noir (which makes sense since this is a 2005), and the tartness is almost non-existent.  It also doesn’t have the dominant cherry flavors that are so common with Pinot Noir.  Instead the flavors are muted blackberries, earth, and a hint of that same cola that it had on the nose.

Overall, a great wine – we paired it with a Gouda Pesto Chicken, which was delicious, and a big enough meal to have with this heavier Pinot.  Too bad we don’t have more!