Even better is the 2008 Pinot Noir Ulises Valdez, which is made from a suitcase clone smuggled in from Vosne-Romanee and the Calera clone, which is believed to have come from the most famous vineyard of that appellation. Forest floor/mossy notes intermixed with fresh porcini mushrooms, black raspberries and black cherries emerge from this medium to full-bodied, luscious Pinot Noir. It is ideal for drinking over the next 5-7 years.
The irrepressible Paul Hobbs fashioned a beautiful portfolio of Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays in both 2008 and 2009. His style of Chardonnay comes directly from the Burgundy handbook, meaning cool vineyard sites, full malolactic fermentations, lots of lees contact and the use of well-established clones, such as the old Wente and occasionally some of the newer Dijon clones. The 2009 Chardonnays are slightly more perfumed as well as lower in alcohol.
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