2005 Sea Smoke Southing

Unfortunately, I wasn't sure what we were gong to drink tonight meeting up with some friends, so there was no time to decant this. We ended up bring 4 bottles to chose from, and I think that this would benefit from a 2-6 hour decant. Gorgeous dark, jammy ruby color in the glass. On the nose, this wine is very fragrant with some cherries and spice, as well as a medley of black fruits. There was still a bit of alcohol on the nose, and nice oak notes with some vanilla and cedar.

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On the palate, this wine is still young, and still tight from the get go, but again, this could have used a nice long decant, or a vigorous decant. Some cherry shined through on the palate, with a nice strawberry and spice. The acidity is definitely there, with some minerality to it, as well as some tannin.

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On the finish, you definitely notice the tannin, and a bit of heat from the alcohol. The finish does linger for a good 20-40 seconds, but I think that this wine still needs some more time. It's been 2 1/2 years since we have drank this vintage, and we'll definitely hold our remaining '05 Southing's for another 2-3 years before revisiting. This wine has everything there to be great, but has to lay sideways a bit more for everything to integrate. No score right now as I don't think it is showing it's potential. Cheers!

RELEASE ALERT - Sea Smoke Cellars

Got the e-mail today that Sea Smoke allocations are up. For those of you who have not heard of them, check them out at: http://www.seasmokecellars.com/ They are making some awesome pinot noir there, and these wines are a must buy for us again this year!

I got bumped up to a C4 member this year, however, my allocations were still the same this year:

(1) Sea Smoke "Ten" $79

(4) Sea Smoke "Southing" $49
(1) Sea Smoke "Botella" $39

There has been some complaining by list members that the "Ten" went up $10 this year. No big deal...the way I see it, if you don't want to shell out the extra $10, then don't buy it. That just might mean more for us later when the have the "leftovers sale."

That said, if you are not on their waiting list, I suggest that you sign up as it is a 2-3 year wait currently. Also note that Kris Curran, the current wine maker has put in her resignation and will be going to Sea Smoke, but her assistant wine maker at Sea Smoke, Don, will be taking over at the helm. I am curious to see what is going to happen with their wine, but with the awesome quality fruit they are producing from yet young vines, I think Don is still going to be making quality vino! So check them out, sign up for their list, and when you get on and get your first allocation, throw them in the back of your cellar and forget they are there for a few years!

2005 Sea Smoke Southing

Received these off the mailing list about a month ago, and can't resist the urge anymore to pop one. I know it's nowhere near ready to drink yet, but there's 3 more that we'll cellar until 2010 plus, so why not? Opened and decanted for 3 hours. Gorgeous plum/ruby in the decanter and glass. Nose of black cherry, raspberry, blueberry, and a hint of spice and oak. On the palate more strawberry prevalent than anything, with some spice and wood. The finish on this bottle lasted a good 30 seconds, and the tannins definitely need some time to settle down, and the oak needs time to integrate. This wine definitely very young, but I just couldn't resist. This is a big wine, and I look forward to revisiting it in 3-5 years. All in all, currently rated at 91 points, with 94-95 points possible with time in the bottle. If drinking now, be sure to decant at least 2 hours. We'll hold these until our 2010 allocation comes in. As always, Sea Smoke is a must buy for us! Cheers!