Peay Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2004

Have I been here before? Peay, a winery and vineyard created by Andy Peay, Nick Peay, and the incredible Venessa Wong, has got to be a storybook collaboration.

Nick Peay is the wine grower, a veteran of Schramsberg, Storrs , La Jota Vineyards, Flowers, and Newton. Nick has demonstrated that his growing expertise is one of the best in the business. What Vanessa makes is solely dependent on what Nick grows. Without Nick Peay the wine could end up two buck you know what.

His brother Andy, an MBA from Haas School of Business is congenial, knowledgeable, and smart. Without him I suspect that Venessa and Nick would be looking at a lot of wine in boxes; since selling and informing is a full time job.

And then there is Venessa Wong. A veteran of both French and Californian wineries. There is nothing I have had that doesn't qualify as extraordinary. While hiding away at her own winery with her two business partners, she has proven her abilities in wine making that match or exceed those of the rich and famous before her. Helen Turley, Carol Shelton, Mike Officer, Delia Viader, and many others, who excel at wine making today in California, are seriously challenged by Vanessa's skill and palette.

The 2004 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is an enormous achievement. From the git go, the wine is magnificent. In the glass it has wonderful, dark reddish/purple in color, nice viscosity, and a nose of heaven. If the Sonoma coast can have a fragrance, this is it. It is morning smells of the vineyard, ripe fruit, great vines, cool weather, and dark earth. This wine speaks of Vanessa, and Nick as much as anything they could possibly do. They have captured the land and the vine like few before have done. This is what you should live to taste.

On the palette, the wine is smooth, yet slightly tannic, in a way that says, " drink me now or collect interest for waiting". It doesn't have the sweetness of hot central coast wine or the modesty of European fruit. The wine exudes Sonoma Coast.

Another achievement of both the Peay brothers and Ms. Wong's skill. If you haven't tried a Peay wine, white or red, do not walk; run. Get some. Now.

If wine were a woman, I would marry this bottle. I might just try! Just "don't ask, don't tell".