Spring Mountain Vineyard Tasting at K&L

Jen's Notes

On Thursday 11/1, I went to the K&L tasting after work, a new series of tasting events on Thursdays. This tasting featured the wines of Spring Mountain Vineyard, located on the eastern slope of Spring Mountain, above St. Helena. Though Shane and I had been up to Spring Mountain on a tasting trip, we had not visited this eponymous winery.
Across the board, the wines expressed distinctive character and pure varietal flavors. The reds were gently oaked, allowing a bit of spice and toast, but nothing obtrusive. The Cabernets were mostly cab, blended with smaller amounts of the other Bordeaux varietals. I enjoyed them all immensely.

1. 2005 Estate Sauvignon Blanc

No blending here, this wine showed unmistakable SB character, with some of the green bean notes you see in New Zealand examples, but with plenty of juicy stone fruits. Both complex and elegant.

2. 2003 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Quite Bordeaux-like I thought, with a sophisticated restraint, smoky notes and a little funk.

3. 2003 Elivette

Pleasant tanginess on the palate entry, baking spices over berry fruit. Super long finish with pronounced astringency. Both this and the 2002 Elivette are beautifully structured, and I could see them lasting for quite sometime. Decant if you are drinking now.

4. 2002 Elivette

The 2002 keeps the tang and astringency, but is rounder, lusher and fruitier, with less spice. Excellent. Lovely now, but decant for a bit for the full experience.

5. 2004 Estate Syrah

Juicy, brambly, but again, showing French-style restraint, making for a balanced and wonderful Syrah. Another one with a nearly-endless finish, with good astringency.