What's Laird Drinking Now?

Potential, It is a word assigned to up and coming regions that have not yet ascended to places of true respect. I have believed for ten tears that Monterey has had potential. Recently some wines have tickled my palate that seem to indicate the time has come to take this region seriously. The 2007 Kali Hart is a second wine (meaning that the fruit for this wine was not good enough to make it into their premier bottling, the Talbott). If that is true, hold on to your hats for the 2007 Talbott Sleepy Hollow!

The Kali Hart is utterly delicious, even; and I mean no slight, Yummy! Plums, mulberries, black tea, orange marmalade, and burnt matchstick all make an appearance at the taste party. The nose is even more campfire than the mouth, suggesting the Talbott families love of oak, but it is buried by the fruit. Stony, minerally qualities emerge with air and this seems like a pure Cali rendition of chambolle Musigny with time to unwind. A fresh pour reveals saddle leather and more camphor. The orange peel notes get stronger and become reduced until a burnt orange-pomegranate note completes the finish.

This is a real sleeper of the vintage. Real flavor and texture reveal themselves for a fraction of the price of the big boys. Yes there are better 2007s but for $ 19 wholesale or $25-29 retail you would be hard pressed to even match it. If you see it buy one or two to drink and share with friends now, buy the rest of a case to enjoy over the next four or seven years.