I always love finding out about great new wineries up and down the west coast. In truth, there are simply too many Oregon, Washington and California wineries to keep track of, but I am constantly searching for ones that catch my eye. Founded in 2003, Black Kite focuses on Burgundian varietals to craft single vineyard expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Jeff Gaffner joined Black Kite as consulting winemaker in 2005, having a strong pedigree, training under legendary producer Dick Arrowood of Arrowood Vineyards. winemaker in northern California for 35 years. As all as the Black Kite wines, Jeff has his own label, Saxon Brown, which produces a variety of site-specific wines. His new Pinot Noirs were excellent across the board. I absolutely loved his 2017 Black Kite ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which has exquisite terroir from this very special site in the Sonoma Coast. Learn more about this great producer of Pinot Noir at https://blackkitecellars.com Here are the great new releases by Black Kite.
2017 Black Kite ‘Soberanes Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Santa Lucia Highlands AVA, this shows pretty salted red fruits with shades of nutmeg and orange zest not he nose. The palate mimics the nose with the bright red fruits that mingle with saline drenched citrus rind and earthy undertones. With lovely viscosity and tension, this beautiful wine will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92
2017 Black Kite ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- One of the famed sites in the Sonoma Coast AVA, the ‘Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is world renowned for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Lovely cranberry and orange rind, dusted with cinnamon and cloves fill the nose. The palate has great freshness with mouth-watering acidity and medium-bodied red fruits that dance with shades of salted blood orange and minerals. Seriously good right now, the 2017 Black Kite’ Gap’s Crown Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2017 Black Kite ‘Sierra Mar Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located in the Santa Lucia Highlands, the ‘Sierra Mar Vineyard’ has a very strong Pacific Ocean influence. Weighing in at 14.6% alcohol, this shows complex aromas of nutmeg and cardamom that are woven together with wild blackberry coulis, and salted oranges that all come together in the glass. The palate has great viscosity and tension with bright red fruits that collide with minerals and a lovely sense of salinity. This is gorgeous to enjoy right now as the ‘Sierra Mar Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will cellar for another decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2017 Black Kite ‘Kite’s Rest’ Pinot Noir- This Anderson Valley AVA bottling shows off a silky texture with good range on the palate, from pomegranate seed to blood orange and damp soil tones, alongside a whiff of smoke. Rich and generous on the mouth, this awesome new Pinot Noir will cellar well for another decade. Drink 2020-2030- 92