2007 Olivet Lane Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
91 points Wine Enthusiast: "A gorgeous, lush Pinot Noir, simply irresistible for drinking now, but ageable. Shows rich, ripe cherry, raspberry, currant, chocolate and anise flavors, accented with spicy sandalwood. A bit primary and fresh in its youth, and should develop bottle nuances through 2013."
DID YOU KNOW?
The Olivet Lane Vineyard was one of the first Pinot Noir plantings in the Russian River Valley, preceded a few years by only a handful of others including the Bacigalupi Vineyard (on Westside Road in the Middle Reach in 1964), Rochioli Vineyard (East Block planted in 1968, also on Westside Road), and Joseph Swan’s vineyard (first planted in 1969 in the Laguna Ridges and now named the Trenton Estate Vineyard). The Olivet Lane Vineyard was uniquely planted to both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
The Pellegrinis began producing an Olivet Lane Pinot Noir in the 1980s. Over the years, grapes were sold to Brogan Cellars, Gary Farrell, Kosta Browne, Merry Edwards, Williams Selyem and WesMar wineries. Today, Merry Edwards is the only producer receiving significant amounts of fruit, the rest being retained for the Olivet Lane Estate Pinot Noir annual production of 2,500 to 3,000 cases.
The Olivet Lane Vineyard wines are sold primarily through the tasting room, retail wine stores and restaurants. The wines are also available online at www.pellegrinisonoma.com. (published by The PinotFile Volume 8, Issue 2)
Around $25 a bottle in Texas, a perfect gift for Father's Day too! Cheers - Ali
The idea is to provide fresh wine by the glass, strengthen relationships with local vineyards and reduce waste. No bottles, no corks, just refillable kegs, generally made of stainless steel or food-grade plastic, that use a mixture of argon and nitrogen gas to push the wine out.
It is dry farmed and averages a little over two tons per acre. We have come to the conclusion that to refer to this wine merely by its variety is not giving it full credit. As with the old plantings of Grenache and Carignan from regions like Priorat in Spain or the southern Rhone, these relics of California's viticultural past can produce some rather interesting wines if the grapes are treated with dignity. For this reason, we will be moving toward vineyard rather than vertical designation in the future.
So far so FABULOUS this summer when it comes to sales of the TexaCali Wine Co. producers in Texas. Honestly, the hot months of our Texas summer is my least favorite time to do-what-I-do. It takes extreme planning to keep the wines chilled all day and superpowers to keep motivated. Getting in and out of the car all day is a beating, trying to look your best while sweat dribbles down your back with a smile on your face walking into restaurants and retails with a bag (or 2) of wine to show is far from GLAMOROUS. Yesterday I "Tweeted" that the inside of my car looked like an Ice Cream truck! Coolers, dry ice, road-rage in parking lots over shaded spaces...whew. BUT - the wines are "selling like crazy" this summer and I'm loving it! 
So far rounding up the end of June, the following wines are getting the MOST movement this summer (please ask your favorite wine shop for a few!). 
Thanks to all who attended our trade and customer events, the 2. 5 days in the market where filled with admiration, knowledge and magnificent enthusiasm! Most of all I want to Thank Giorgio Rivetti for his time visiting Texas. It's not often enough that a true gentlemen like Giorgio spends time in Texas. It was a true honor to learn from Giorgio. We certainly have the same taste in wine! He was extremly kind and presented me with a bottle of 1999 Bollinger "Grande Année" Brut Champagne for my birthday last Tuesday. I think it was the very last bottle at Pogo's in Dallas too! 
I'm very excited to write-up my time with Giorgio Rivetti for all to read! I learned so much from Giorgio, about his family, his vineyards, his love of fine wine and of course the business of Indigenous Selections and La Spinetta. More tomorrow - I'm on the road the rest of the day! 
Our last family reunion in 2009 was at the original homestead. The Weirichs are related to the Nimitz clan by marriage. My mother married and moved to California after WWII. She is the only sibling (youngest) of seven to leave Texas. I originally had 22 first cousins. 
