Sorry, The Wine Spies doesn't support Internet Explorer anymore. Please use a newer browser to continue browsing our wine collections.
What We Say 2005 Sierra Madre Pinot Noir
Mission Codename: A Walk on the Wild Side – Part Two
Operative: Agent Pinot
Objective: Procure a quantity of Adam LaZarre’s Sierra Madre Pinot Noir
Mission Status: Accomplished!
Current Winery: LaZarre Wines
Wine Subject: 2005 LaZarre Wines Sierra Madre Pinot Noir
Winemaker: Adam LaZarre
Wine Spies Tasting Profile:
Look – Deep ruby red with excellent clarity with long slender legs.
Smell – Great aromatics of fruit and gunpowder that evolves to include cherries and cedar wood.
Feel – Wet and velvety with mild tannins that reach the back fo the tongue.
Taste – Great subtle fruit including cherries, cocoa, and very nice earthy quality and not a hint of bitterness.
Finish – This wine finishes long and smooth. Excellent mouth feel and taste at the beginning and great feel and taste as it fades from your palate.
Conclusion – This Pinot Noir exemplifies its varietal characteristics. Adam LaZarre has truly captured the essence in this wine. Simply seduction!
Backgrounder:
If there is a bad boy rockstar winemaker, its Adam LaZarre. Okay, maybe that’s overstating things a bit, but if Elvis was the King of Rock & Roll, Adam LaZarre is the king of modern winemaking.
LaZarre is part of the winemaking team at Hahn Estates/Smith & Hook winery, where he holds the title of Vice President. He’s also the guy that was principally responsible for the mega-success of the Rex Goliath brand, which sold to Constellation Brands for a reported $30 Million.
Today, LaZarre travels the world, evangelizing for Hahn Estates and is away from his fields for more than 30 weeks out of the year. When he is home in Monterey County, he can be found in the vineyards or in his laboratory, mixing, blending, tasting, and making sweet music.
Wine Spies Vineyard Check:
The location of the Sierra Madre Vineyard can be seen in this satellite photo.
Wine Spies Technical Wine Analysis
Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.55
TA: 0.66
Appellation: Santa Maria Valley
Vineyard: Sierra Madre Vineyard
Months in Barrel: 18 Months
Oak: 40% New French
Varietal: 100% Sierra Madre Pinot Noir
Year: 2005
Total Production: Only 112 Cases
What the Winery Says
LaZarre Wines
From the Wine Label:
“Damn! I knew I was in trouble. The big cat’s face appeared through the mist. With a rush, it leaped straight for me, only to fall helplessly a few feet away. I rolled it onto its back and noticed the purple stain around its mouth. The cat let out a stunning belch. “Jesus!” The smell of wine and Dik-Dik washed over my face. “This guy is obviously drunk”, I thought to myself, “no sober creature would ever pair Pinot Noir with Antelope!”
About Adam Lazarre – Winemaker
With the Hahn Estates’ revitalization program in high gear, winemaker Adam LaZarre was perfectly positioned to take advantage of the best of Monterey when he joined the winery in 2001. Adam was introduced to California wines while in the U.S. Navy, stationed at the Naval base in Alameda, California. Repeated trips to Napa reinforced his passion for wine and launched a dream that would shape his future. After completion of six years of service in the Navy, he decided to pursue his dream of becoming a winemaker and enrolled and graduated from California State University, Fresno. During his studies, Adam discovered and fell in love with the wines of the Central Coast. Since graduating from Fresno, Adam has mostly concentrated his efforts on winemaking in this bountiful region, working at Elliston Vineyards, Jekel and Riverland vineyards before joining the team at Hahn Estates / Smith & Hook.
Appellation:
Santa Maria Valley is one of California’s coolest grape growing appellations with one of the longest growing seasons in the world. The well-drained, lean soils are direct access to cool Pacific Ocean breezes and fog funneled to the vineyards by transverse mountain ranges, make it one of America’s premier growing regions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Vineyards:
Sierra Madre Vineyard is the most westerly vineyard in Santa Maria Valley. Its proximity to the Pacific Ocean makes it one of California’s coldest vineyards. Soils in the Sierra Madre Vineyard are lean and well-drained sandy loam. More sand that loam, they are light in texture and about 24 inches deep. These shallow soils control plant vigor and are ideal for creating low yields and intensity of flavor in the fruit.
Technical Analysis:
Alcohol: 13.5%
pH: 3.55
TA: 0.66
Appellation: Santa Maria Valley
Vineyard: Sierra Madre Vineyard
Months in Barrel: 18 Months
Oak: 40% New French
Varietal: 100% Sierra Madre Pinot Noir
Year: 2005
Total Production: Only 112 Cases
