The annual CS Wines Pinot Posse event in Denver has always been a who’s who of domestic Pinot Noir. These bottles usually end up on the trendiest restaurant wine lists in Denver, Vail, and Aspen. Though, a few select bottles still make their way to the allocated retail scene.
As a retail buyer, it’s a pleasure and a privilege to meet the winemakers and proprietors of these sought-after bottles, taste the wines and (of course) purchase a few to share with our customers. Enter the wines of J.K. Carriere, Cirq., Sea Smoke, August West, and Owen Roe. As I tasted my way through the 19 Pinot Noirs headlining the event, I thought I’d share some of my favorites.
First and foremost – Cirq. Well, can you expect anything but excellence from Michael Browne, co-founder of Kosta Browne? His Cirq. project features gorgeous wines with notes of rhubarb and cranberry on the 2016 Treehouse, a ripe yet herbaceous character on the 2016 Bootlegger, and a complete treat of tertiary notes like leather, loam, and cherry on the 2013 library vintage of Treehouse. Even the more price accessible 2017 CHEV was layered and complex with flavors of strawberry and spice.
Sea Smoke was yet another indulgence. These wines can be somewhat elusive, so I took the chance to enjoy the elegant and spicy 2017 Southing and the brightly balanced and complex 2017 TEN. The palate pleasing parade continued with some great bottles from Owen Roe including the vibrant and grippy 2018 Sharecroppers and the savory 2016 The Killmore. Another front-runner was the structured and complex 2018 Graham’s Vineyard coming from August West Wines.
Another scene stealer was Jim Prosser of J.K. Carriere. After working for several notable Pinot Noir producers, Jim started the J.K. Carriere label (the name represents a tribute to both of his grandfathers). Beginning in a 100-year-old barn in Newberg, Oregon in 1999, the winery is now located in a newer facility in the Chehalem Mountains AVA.
Standouts included the 2016 Vespidae with its unique nose of mushrooms and savory spices, the 2013 library vintage of Vespidae that leaned more towards dried floral notes with balanced & ripe red fruit, and the rich violet and raspberry tinged 2016 St. Delores Estate.
Well deserving of honorable mention were the carefully curated non-Pinot Noir selections. Some favorites included the lifted and mineral driven Ojai Vineyard’s Soloman Hills Chardonnay, Bevan Cellars’ big and bold 2017 Ontogeny Cab blend, Morlet Family Vineyards’ floral and beautifully reserved 2014 Mon Chevalier Cabernet Sauvignon, and the voluptuous and luxurious Andremily 2017 NO6 red blend.
This event consistently overdelivers in the fine wine realm of Russian River Valley, Willamette Valley, Sta Rita Hills, and Washington selections. A special thank you to CS Wines and Euclid Hall for hosting the event. The food, wine, accoutrements, and venue were fantastic, as always.
*Header image courtesy of Adobe Stock
