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[Don Giovanni]

ITB tasting of Clos Pepe and presentation by Wes Hagen the wine-maker ...



Wes is a very pleasant funny guy with a very deep passion for making the best wines he can... trying to express the vineyard and not some other idea of what the wine should taste like... it was a pleasure to meet him...



Clos Pepe Estate 2002 Pinot Noir



this was a very hot year with low yields... this wine is developing in bottle very nicely ...good tannin integration of smooth tannins ... nice rich dark ruby color ... nice vanilla with black liquorices notes followed by rich red fruits ... this wine is hitting it's stride and is drinking very well ...drink now through 2015



points 91/92





Clos Pepe Estate 2008 Pinot Noir



this is a wimp compared to the other vintages I would drink you wine now as this will not be getting an better in bottle... the nose was very floral, strawberry, geranium a bit odd and a typical of PN ... notes of clove rang my bell a few times along with other white spices... the color is lighter ruby red ... 14.2 abv

drink now as I feel this wine is going nowhere in bottle

points 89



Clos Pepe Estate 2009 Pinot Noir



this wine is all about balance picked 24.4 brix and 3.17 acid and TA 7.5 ... the alc comes in at 14.1 abv



this wine is a real gem drinking very well at this time...the balance is present with every sip...good nuances of oak interplaying with the fruit of red and on the verge of dark fruits to blackberries with anise coming from the barrel...the color is a vibrant ruby red ...

drink now to 2017



points 91



Clos Pepe Estate 2010 Pinot Noir



a hot bruit of a vintage ...brix 26-28 and Jesus units added back to mellow it out... 14.5 abv...

PN clones 115, 667, 777,RC 212 ... good solid oak structure nice interplay with the 11 months of oak and only one racking pre filtering ... floral nose, fruit notes red, strawberry, raspberry to tart cherry... rich deep ruby color and great mouth-feel...this wine is very young and IMVHO needs 5 to 10 years to mellow and deliver the hot vintage that it was to your palate ... harvested at night due to the extreme heat during harvest... drink 2014 - 2024

points 92/93



Clos Pepe Estate 2009 Chardonnay

this was a very nice eye-opening wine... melon bangs you in s supple way then apricot, citrus followed by green apple... very nice mouth-feel...the color is light straw or hay ... clean finish and very yummy wine with no hint of oak... very European Chard... alc 14.3% abv... drink now - 2015

points 92/93

[Don Giovanni]

please note

4th Pinot clone is Pommard 4, not RC 212.