The 2019 Kukeri Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is coming from Lakeville vineyard, located off the Lakeville Highway in the heart of the Petaluma Gap, carved by winds, with over 500 feet elevation, which creates a unique micro-climate. The wine is crafted 100% from the famed Martini clone of Pinot Noir, which creates a wine with a soft and elegant backbone, and intense dark fruit and energetic acidity.
Juicy and intense, our 2019 Kukeri Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir is silky in texture and complex in flavor, with dark berries and cherry pie, fusing perfectly with an exotic undertone of black tea and toasty vanilla oak. In the glass, dark red hues, darker to the edge, medium weight on the palate with balanced silky mouthfeel and bright refreshing acidity. Long persistent finish.
Winemaking Notes
The grapes were handpicked in the begining of October, sorted and de-stemmed into small fermentation bins and allowed to cold soak for 3 days to help stabilize the color and enhance flavors. It was fermented with ‘prise de mousse’ yeast for 17 days and punched down 3 times a day to increase extraction of color and phenolic compounds. Gently pressed and aged for 12 months into 100% French oak barrels with 40% new oak to preserve the delicate notes and mouthfeel. Only 5 barrels produced.
Specs
Vintage: 2019
Varietal: 100% Pinot Noir, Martini Clone
Appellation: Petaluma Gap, Sonoma County
Vineyard: Lakeville Vineyard
Alcohol: 14.70%
pH: 3.67
Production: 140 cases
2019 Kukeri Cuvée Ivonne Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Best of Class, Double Gold and 96 Points, 2021 Santé International Wine Competition Double-Gold Medal and 98 Points, 2021 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
Tasting Notes
The Russian River Valley in Sonoma County is renowned for producing some of the world’s best Pinot Noirs and our Kukeri Cuvée Ivonne Pinot Noir is one of them. The fruit for the 2019 Russian River Pinot Noir is sourced from two different vineyards, one is located on the western edge of Green Valley also known as one of the coolest and foggiest region, and the other is a hillside vineyard, west of Windsor in the upper part of the Russian River Valley. The wine is produced from three different clones, the clone 667, which brings vivid fruit, 777 which adds some chewy tannins and 115 which brings some brightness, cherry, and floral aromatics. The result is intense and rich Pinot Noir with good tannin structure suitable for aging.
The 2019 Kukeri Russian River Pinot Noir is silky in texture and complex in flavor, with black cherries, rose petal and wild raspberry fusing perfectly with an exotic undertone of licorice and light vanilla oak. In the glass, bright red hues, darker to the edge, medium weight on the palate balanced with bright mouth-watering acidity. Long and luscious finish.
Winemaking Notes
The grapes were handpicked at the end of August and de-stemmed into small fermentation bins and allowed to cold soak for 3 days to help stabilize the color and enhance flavors. It was fermented for 14 days and punched down 3 times a day to increase extraction of color and phenolic compounds. Gently pressed and aged on light less for 12 months into 100% French barrels with 30% new oak. Only 5 barrels are produced from this limited-edition Pinot Noir.
Petar Kirilov, founder and winemaker of Kukeri Wines, grew up in Bulgaria and graduated from the prestigious University of Food Technologies with a master’s degree in winemaking. He has worked at Truchard Vineyards, Meadowcroft Wines, and Foyt Wines as a winemaker, and created Kukeri Wines to focus on the production of small-lot quality wines from single vineyards.
Kukeri Wines source grapes from some of the most unusual vineyards in Napa Valley and Sonoma County. “We treat that fruit as gently as possible, producing small lots of quality wines that display the complexity, power, finesse, and specific terroir of Cabernet Sauvignon grown in Mount Veeder, and Pinot Noir from Petaluma Gap, Los Carneros, and Russian River Valley.”
Kukeri refers to a pagan Bulgarian ritual that may date back as far as 8,000 years to the ancient Thracians – and to Dionysus, the god associated with wine, fertility, and rebirth. The festival is replete with mystical symbolism, steeped as it is in a tradition representing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Honored Lab Rat reporting for duty!
Tonight I have the pleasure of tasting not one, but two lovely Pinot Noirs from Kukeri Vineyards.
Having two similar wines to taste side by side should be fun…or confusing! I will try my best to keep them straight. I’ve labeled both my glasses and the bottles with wine glass stickers to help! Of note, both of these wines are labelled as “Limited Edition” with only 5 barrels produced. I’m pretty excited about this Lab Rat opportunity, as a huge fan of Pinot Noir. I will try to provide notes over the course of three days of tasting (Wed-Fri) although I think I am going to work part of the day Friday, so notes my come late.
GRAPE STICKER
2019 Kukeri Russian River Cuvée Ivonne Valley Pinot Noir
Pop and Pour/First Glass (7:30pm Wednesday):
Nose is all bright red fruit (cherry, raspberry) with some floral notes (primarily rose, maybe some violet). Smells exactly as you would expect a really good RRV Pinot to smell. I’m already falling in love. On swirling, legs are narrow, a bit slow to form, and cling nicely to the glass (I have no idea what this really equates to…just throwing it out there). Color is a beautiful clear bright medium/light garnet. Flavor mirrors the nose with the same bright fruit and floral components, with an undertone of something herbal I can’t pinpoint. As far as tannins…I’m not getting a lot of drying influence. I’m going to call it medium weight for a pinot, with nice bright acidity. I find it smooth and easy to drink, even at this young age.
8:30pm…time for a refill!
Not much different. Nose seems a little less bright fruit and a bit more earthy.
9:00pm…time to introduce some food to the scene before I get tipsy. No plans to cook dinner this late, so refrigerator raiding it is. I have some leftover Armenian Lula Kabob (seasoned ground beef, similar to kefta kebob), mushroom pilaf (bulgar wheat base), hummus, and lavash (similar to pita, but thinner). I thought this would be a decent pairing, and it is…but so far, I actually prefer both wines without food. Food (at least this food) seems to amplify the tannins in both wines. It will be interesting to see what happens with tomorrow’s food options (I am NOT having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner). Stay tuned…
DAY 2
Both wines re-corked and held overnight at room temp (~68-70 degrees).
Thursday 1:45pm (with lunch/appetizer of roasted grapes and goat cheese and a light drizzle of aged balsamic on cracked wheat crackers)
Wine is holding up beautifully. Some of the bright cherry/cherry candy nose has lost the “candy”, but it is still primarily cherry. Flavor is still bright, with nice acidity and relatively smooth tannins. Tannins maybe a bit more grippy with the goat cheese appetizer than without food. Still delicious! Will revisit with dinner…stay tuned (see below)!
SNOWFLAKE STICKER
2019 Kukeri Lakeville Vineyard Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir
Pop and Pour/First Glass (7:30pm Wednesday):
Nose is bright to medium red fruit. A bit darker in character than the Ivonne. Definitely cherry, maybe some currant and/or plum with a nice earthy note. On swirling, legs are narrow, a bit slow to form, and cling nicely to the glass (again…just throwing it out there). Color is maybe a shade or two darker than the Ivonne, but lovely still a lovely medium/light garnet. Flavor is
Tannins are a bit more present/grippy than the Ivonne, but certainly not aggressive or off-putting. I’ll also call this one medium weight for a pinot, with nice bright acidity. Also very drinkable, even though young.
8:30pm…time for a refill!
Not much different. Nose seems a little less bright fruit and a bit more earthy, almost a little funky. The funk blew off in 5 minutes or so.
9:00pm…adding in the same food as above.
I thought this would be a decent pairing, and it is…but so far, I actually prefer both wines without food. Food (at least this food) seems to amplify the tannins in both wines. It will be interesting to see what happens with tomorrow’s food options (I am not having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner). Stay tuned…
DAY 2
Both wines re-corked and held overnight at room temp (~68-70 degrees).
Thursday 1:45pm (same appetizer as above)
Similar to the Ivonne, some of the brighter fruit of the nose has definitely softened to deeper cherry/cherry pie, and darker berry notes with some nice warm notes (maybe vanilla/oak) that I wasn’t necessarily getting last night. Tannins are definitely hanging around and perhaps a bit more obvious (to me) than last night. Again, could be the choice of food accompaniment. Still delicious! Will revisit with dinner…stay tuned!
Thursday Dinner ~6:30pm
I’m going to combine notes here since my impressions really are about the same. Sooo…dinner consisted of non-traditional Thanksgiving fare. I made a small (pre-marinated) garlic and herb pork tenderloin, roasted baby yellow potatoes, and roasted green beans, along with some more of the roasted grapes from earlier. Both wines have held up well over ~24 hours. Both still have primarily cherry on the nose and palate. Lakeville is still a bit deeper in all aspects (color, nose, flavors). Both still have nice/approachable tannins and a bit of zippy acidity. I still prefer both wines without food…but again, that could be down to my pairings. I found the pork tenderloin to be considerably too salty for my palate, but the roasted grapes did temper that to some degree. I’m assuming the saltiness of the pork made both wines seem more tannic and edgy. Of my dinner food choices, I’d say both wines went best with the creaminess of the roasted potatoes. I still have plenty left for another tasting tomorrow. Both will be re-corked and held on the counter at room temp again.
Random thoughts:
-Both paired really well with Costco chocolate cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream (to temper the chocolate icing) which I’ve been thinking about and craving all day (Day 1)!
-Roasted grapes…yeah…just do it!
-Day 2, both have held up well. I think these are very well made, structured, and should be good in the cellar for more than a few years.
-Of note, after night one, I woke up with a terrible headache at about 6am. Dragged myself out of bed to take some Excedrin. Not sure if it was the wine or other influences (changing weather, not having enough water through the evening (swapped out for wine…duh), lack of caffeine). Will see if we have a repeat event Friday morning.
As always, thanks to Alice, WineDavid, the CaseMates crew, and the folks at Kukeri for the opportunity to contribute to this fantastic community of wine lovers! I hope everyone has/had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
In case it wasn’t obvious, I’m in for a case and I don’t even know what the price is at the time I am typing this (Night 1)…don’t care. Excellent pinot…highly recommend!
***Except it looks like it doesn’t ship to IL. @Winedavid49…Alice…Anyone…HELP!!! You’re breaking my heart here!!!
Can someone please check? Looks like I can get all the way through purchasing from their site (just short of hitting submit). HELP!!! I’m thirsty and very sad!!!
I have worked beside Petar for two decades now and have great respect for his skills and great heart. He studied winemaking in Bulgaria and came to California in the '90s. His hard work, brilliant aesthetic and big heart have allowed him to realize his own version of the American dream, and he deserves your support. I would say that even if these wines weren’t as good as they are.
I find the wines quite different, though clearly made by the same hand. We share a guiding aesthetic for balanced, Eurocentric style without excessive oak, ripeness or alcohol.
The Petaluma Gap 2019 has a medium/dark garnet color and a nose full of plums, cherries and roses with a trace of vanilla. The mouth is very bright and energetic with rich, velvety structure and a long, aromatic finish. While it will certainly hold for a good long while in a good cellar and may gain complexity, it’s quite comely and drinkable now.
The Russian River 2019 Cuvee Ivonne is another story. While it certainly has the classic black cherry nose of the region, there is much more here. The nose is rich and complex, full of allspice, cardamom and black pepper.
Tannins are masculine but stylishly refined. Near the Sonoma Coast is one of the few places on Earth where Pinot has this kind of structure. Will need time to open fully up. Quite enjoyable now with a steak, but will soften and surpass the Petaluma Gap with time.
You have here two top Pinot Noirs selling for a ridiculous Meomi price. There are many lesser Sonoma Pinots over $50.
@winesmith thanks for weighing in. Bought a case on your recommendation. I am new to this community but am already so thankful for your involvement in it. Your mixed case arrived a couple days ago and I’m hoping to pop a bottle tonight! I really have enjoyed your YouTube videos and have hinted to my family that your book would be the perfect holiday gift.
@dak52 Thanks! If you bought my mixed case of WineSmith reds, it may interest you to know that I’m doing a virtual tasting of them this Sunday at 3PM Pacific Time. Register free here.
@winesmith
Hi Clark! Thanks for posting this! I am registered and hope to be able to tune in, though I’m unlikely to open six bottles on a Sunday evening.
Tuning in for educational purposes.
@karenhynes Of course. Only mad winemakers do such things. The idea is to have an interesting conversation to record for posterity. I hope you can entertain us with some queries.
The Petaluma:
Reddish in color with medium intensity. Fruity nose with cherries, ripe strawberries, raspberries, light oak, vegetables, earth and spices. Medium-bodied with medium acidity. Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, bing cherries, oak, wild flowers, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, herbs and peppercorn.
Medium finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.
This young Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast is drinking nicely already. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Light and approachable. This Single Vineyard is showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel. After after an hour of airtime, it gets earthier, with some bitter herb notes. Would be nice to revisit it in 2 years. Good right out of the bottle and good with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. A very small production of only 5 barrels. 14.2% alcohol by volume.
89 points. 6/21
the Ivonne:
Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim. Fruity nose of cherries, raspberries, spices, light oak, chocolates, vanilla, licorice and black pepper. Medium plus in body with medium acidity. Soft and smooth. Dry on the palate with bing cherries, strawberries, raspberries, spices, light chocolates, oak, black pepper, licorice and light vanilla.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries. This is a tasty Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley. Easy drinking with mild complexity. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Light and airy.
Still young, but already enjoyable, even by itself. Would be nice to see how this evolves in 3 to 5 years.
Good right out of the bottle. I gave it a light chill and paired it with a beautiful view. 100% Pinot Noir grapes were hand picked and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (30% new). A small production of only 5 barrels made. 14.2% alcohol by volume.
90 points. 5/21
Happy Thanksgiving All!
I am so thankful to Casemates community for featuring my wines.
Both Pinot Noir’s are really nice and ready drink now wines. The 2019 Kukeri Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is little bit more elegant and fruit forward, nice cherry notes with medium body and lingering acidity.
The 2019 Kukeri Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir is little bit more intense for me, with some nice darker fruit notes, black tea, little bit earthy with more tannins and refreshing acidity, will develop better with age.
Both wines are enjoyable with or without food.
Cheers!
Petar @ KukeriWines
First, one would have to search pretty seriously to find a group that eats as well as our beloved Lab Rats.
Second, on advice of counsel I roasted some black grapes just now and what a very good idea.
Third, sure is nice, almost perfect weather here in AZ in case certain people were looking for a climate safe place to send a bottle for rattage.
Kukeri has become an rpmAutoBuy over the past couple of years. We’ve enjoyed several cases. RRV Pinot Noir is among the best in the country, and the Petaluma Gap to the West and a bit North of Carneros has become a source of excellent Pinot Noir over the past decade. My cousins small wineries have sourced their Pinot Noir from the Petaluma Gap for more than a decade.
@rpm Checked my phone during a break in the Nutcracker and see this! Now I have a case of RRV Pinot coming to keep my case of Marshall Davis Oregon Pinot company… Thanks.
I was excited to get an email about being a rat! I always greatly appreciate everyone’s posts. I received a set of the Kukeri 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Cuvée Ivonne and Kukeri Pinot Noir 2019 Petaluma Gap- Sonoma Coast Lakeville Vineyard on Thursday the 18th so tried these wines for comparison over the weekend.
I opened the Ivonne first. This bottle has thick foil, so be careful when opening! Also, the cork was extremely hard to remove and I had to get my husband to help.
First note: Smells like ripe bursting berries. Maybe plums, but sweet ones
First taste: Really light, almost airy. Light bodied, thin and thin legs. Some floral on nose but still bright fruit, berries mostly.
Jammy colored. Easy to sip. Tad bitter on finish. Needs air. Tastes young.
20 min later: Smells like a cherry slushie. Tastes like cherry cola. Much more drinkable. Less bitter at end. Rounded out. I kept calling this wine a cherry bomb. My husband loved it but it wasn’t up my alley on day 1. But boy was I wrong!
We saved wine for day 2, 3, and 4. Day 2 was amazing and I actually enjoyed how it opened up. Still cherry but less cherry cola. Tasted a tad drier and more velvety, which I preferred. I got more spice notes, vanilla. Day 3 was about the same. I dumped what was left on day 4 as it didn’t quite hold up.
This wine is drinking well now but I think can be put down for a few years too! Depending on your preferences, if you like a cherry bomb, drink now. If you like something with more layers and less cherry, hold off. I think this wine would have been amazing with a turkey and stuffing and went well with the few things we ate with it (pork chops, coffee-rubbed ribs, marinated flat iron, rice, quinoa, green beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts over the three days).
I tried the Petaluma Gap second and on day 1 much preferred this wine. However, day 2 it was a tie on flavor for me. This wine seems to be more ready at this point. Again, very thick foil but easy to get the cork out.
Initial nose: A little more robust smell- plums, dark red fruit. A little floral. Citrus? Cherry cola
First taste: dark stone fruit. Raspberry. Citrus again! Overall first impression: Floral, longer finish and less acid than other but heftier mouth feel (almost medium body… but still pinot) Still thin legs. Light body. Red but slightly orange in color. Smells and tastes a little more developed.
After letting it breathe, it seemed quite a bit sweeter than my initial impression. Day 2 especially after opening up a bit.
If you’re in need of a ready to go pinot noir, I’d snatch these up! Both wines are very drinkable now and drink differently, so there is something for everyone. I also think you can lay these down for a few years. Amazing price point on the case!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2019 Kukeri Pinot Noirs - $100 = 33.32%
Mine arrived today, too. Gift for 4 bottles was a cork-puller (aka Ah So). Will probably pop a Petaluma Gap tomorrow, and tuck the other three away for a year or two.
2019 Kukeri Lakeville Vineyard Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast
Tasting Notes
Winemaking Notes
Specs
2019 Kukeri Cuvée Ivonne Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
Best of Class, Double Gold and 96 Points, 2021 Santé International Wine Competition
Double-Gold Medal and 98 Points, 2021 Press Democrat North Coast Wine Challenge
Tasting Notes
Winemaking Notes
Specs
What’s Included
2-bottles:
Case:
Price Comparison
$562.80/Case at Kukeri Wines for 6x 2019 Kukeri Lakeville Vineyard Pinot Noir, Petaluma Gap, Sonoma Coast, 6x 2019 Kukeri Cuvée Ivonne Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley
About The Winery
Available States
AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, FL, GA, ID, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MN, MO, MT, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Estimated Delivery
Monday, Dec 20 - Monday, Dec 27
Kukeri Pinot Noirs
2 bottles for $49.99 $25/bottle + $4/bottle shipping
Case of 12 for $199.99 $16.67/bottle + $1/bottle shipping
2019 Kukeri Lakeville Vineyard Pinot Noir
2019 Kukeri Cuvée Ivonne Pinot Noir
I’m back
@ilCesare
Welcome back. Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
@ilCesare Hope all is well, and welcome back as well.
That’s a mighty steep difference, pricewise.
Honored Lab Rat reporting for duty!
Tonight I have the pleasure of tasting not one, but two lovely Pinot Noirs from Kukeri Vineyards.
Having two similar wines to taste side by side should be fun…or confusing! I will try my best to keep them straight. I’ve labeled both my glasses and the bottles with wine glass stickers to help! Of note, both of these wines are labelled as “Limited Edition” with only 5 barrels produced. I’m pretty excited about this Lab Rat opportunity, as a huge fan of Pinot Noir. I will try to provide notes over the course of three days of tasting (Wed-Fri) although I think I am going to work part of the day Friday, so notes my come late.
GRAPE STICKER
2019 Kukeri Russian River Cuvée Ivonne Valley Pinot Noir
Pop and Pour/First Glass (7:30pm Wednesday):
Nose is all bright red fruit (cherry, raspberry) with some floral notes (primarily rose, maybe some violet). Smells exactly as you would expect a really good RRV Pinot to smell. I’m already falling in love. On swirling, legs are narrow, a bit slow to form, and cling nicely to the glass (I have no idea what this really equates to…just throwing it out there). Color is a beautiful clear bright medium/light garnet. Flavor mirrors the nose with the same bright fruit and floral components, with an undertone of something herbal I can’t pinpoint. As far as tannins…I’m not getting a lot of drying influence. I’m going to call it medium weight for a pinot, with nice bright acidity. I find it smooth and easy to drink, even at this young age.
8:30pm…time for a refill!
Not much different. Nose seems a little less bright fruit and a bit more earthy.
9:00pm…time to introduce some food to the scene before I get tipsy. No plans to cook dinner this late, so refrigerator raiding it is. I have some leftover Armenian Lula Kabob (seasoned ground beef, similar to kefta kebob), mushroom pilaf (bulgar wheat base), hummus, and lavash (similar to pita, but thinner). I thought this would be a decent pairing, and it is…but so far, I actually prefer both wines without food. Food (at least this food) seems to amplify the tannins in both wines. It will be interesting to see what happens with tomorrow’s food options (I am NOT having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner). Stay tuned…
DAY 2
Both wines re-corked and held overnight at room temp (~68-70 degrees).
Thursday 1:45pm (with lunch/appetizer of roasted grapes and goat cheese and a light drizzle of aged balsamic on cracked wheat crackers)
Wine is holding up beautifully. Some of the bright cherry/cherry candy nose has lost the “candy”, but it is still primarily cherry. Flavor is still bright, with nice acidity and relatively smooth tannins. Tannins maybe a bit more grippy with the goat cheese appetizer than without food. Still delicious! Will revisit with dinner…stay tuned (see below)!
SNOWFLAKE STICKER
2019 Kukeri Lakeville Vineyard Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir
Pop and Pour/First Glass (7:30pm Wednesday):
Nose is bright to medium red fruit. A bit darker in character than the Ivonne. Definitely cherry, maybe some currant and/or plum with a nice earthy note. On swirling, legs are narrow, a bit slow to form, and cling nicely to the glass (again…just throwing it out there). Color is maybe a shade or two darker than the Ivonne, but lovely still a lovely medium/light garnet. Flavor is
Tannins are a bit more present/grippy than the Ivonne, but certainly not aggressive or off-putting. I’ll also call this one medium weight for a pinot, with nice bright acidity. Also very drinkable, even though young.
8:30pm…time for a refill!
Not much different. Nose seems a little less bright fruit and a bit more earthy, almost a little funky. The funk blew off in 5 minutes or so.
9:00pm…adding in the same food as above.
I thought this would be a decent pairing, and it is…but so far, I actually prefer both wines without food. Food (at least this food) seems to amplify the tannins in both wines. It will be interesting to see what happens with tomorrow’s food options (I am not having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner). Stay tuned…
DAY 2
Both wines re-corked and held overnight at room temp (~68-70 degrees).
Thursday 1:45pm (same appetizer as above)
Similar to the Ivonne, some of the brighter fruit of the nose has definitely softened to deeper cherry/cherry pie, and darker berry notes with some nice warm notes (maybe vanilla/oak) that I wasn’t necessarily getting last night. Tannins are definitely hanging around and perhaps a bit more obvious (to me) than last night. Again, could be the choice of food accompaniment. Still delicious! Will revisit with dinner…stay tuned!
Thursday Dinner ~6:30pm
I’m going to combine notes here since my impressions really are about the same. Sooo…dinner consisted of non-traditional Thanksgiving fare. I made a small (pre-marinated) garlic and herb pork tenderloin, roasted baby yellow potatoes, and roasted green beans, along with some more of the roasted grapes from earlier. Both wines have held up well over ~24 hours. Both still have primarily cherry on the nose and palate. Lakeville is still a bit deeper in all aspects (color, nose, flavors). Both still have nice/approachable tannins and a bit of zippy acidity. I still prefer both wines without food…but again, that could be down to my pairings. I found the pork tenderloin to be considerably too salty for my palate, but the roasted grapes did temper that to some degree. I’m assuming the saltiness of the pork made both wines seem more tannic and edgy. Of my dinner food choices, I’d say both wines went best with the creaminess of the roasted potatoes. I still have plenty left for another tasting tomorrow. Both will be re-corked and held on the counter at room temp again.
Random thoughts:
-Both paired really well with Costco chocolate cake with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream (to temper the chocolate icing) which I’ve been thinking about and craving all day (Day 1)!
-Roasted grapes…yeah…just do it!
-Day 2, both have held up well. I think these are very well made, structured, and should be good in the cellar for more than a few years.
-Of note, after night one, I woke up with a terrible headache at about 6am. Dragged myself out of bed to take some Excedrin. Not sure if it was the wine or other influences (changing weather, not having enough water through the evening (swapped out for wine…duh), lack of caffeine). Will see if we have a repeat event Friday morning.
As always, thanks to Alice, WineDavid, the CaseMates crew, and the folks at Kukeri for the opportunity to contribute to this fantastic community of wine lovers! I hope everyone has/had a very Happy Thanksgiving!
In case it wasn’t obvious, I’m in for a case and I don’t even know what the price is at the time I am typing this (Night 1)…don’t care. Excellent pinot…highly recommend!
***Except it looks like it doesn’t ship to IL. @Winedavid49…Alice…Anyone…HELP!!! You’re breaking my heart here!!!
Can someone please check? Looks like I can get all the way through purchasing from their site (just short of hitting submit). HELP!!! I’m thirsty and very sad!!!
@karenhynes Oh no! That’s just not right!
@InFrom
Truth! Really sad here.
@karenhynes I was just about to buy a case and saw no IL. Ugh……
@karenhynes @winedavid49
There really should be an exemption to allow Rats to purchase.
This is just wrong on so many facets…
@jshaver @karenhynes you need some friends next door! (Indiana)
@jshaver @ttboy23
Yeah…or Wisconsin. But then we’d have to actually get together.
@karenhynes Well, Wisconsin folk aren’t that bad, are they?
@wardad
Haha! Nope…I love my WI peeps. Mine are all just too far away.
@karenhynes boo no IL.
@karenhynes I see the lakeville is up at RLL for $25/btl.
Worth the tariff?
@rjquillin
For me, yes. I would put these on par with my much beloved Selyem pinots. If you like that style, totally worth it.
I have worked beside Petar for two decades now and have great respect for his skills and great heart. He studied winemaking in Bulgaria and came to California in the '90s. His hard work, brilliant aesthetic and big heart have allowed him to realize his own version of the American dream, and he deserves your support. I would say that even if these wines weren’t as good as they are.
I find the wines quite different, though clearly made by the same hand. We share a guiding aesthetic for balanced, Eurocentric style without excessive oak, ripeness or alcohol.
The Petaluma Gap 2019 has a medium/dark garnet color and a nose full of plums, cherries and roses with a trace of vanilla. The mouth is very bright and energetic with rich, velvety structure and a long, aromatic finish. While it will certainly hold for a good long while in a good cellar and may gain complexity, it’s quite comely and drinkable now.
The Russian River 2019 Cuvee Ivonne is another story. While it certainly has the classic black cherry nose of the region, there is much more here. The nose is rich and complex, full of allspice, cardamom and black pepper.
Tannins are masculine but stylishly refined. Near the Sonoma Coast is one of the few places on Earth where Pinot has this kind of structure. Will need time to open fully up. Quite enjoyable now with a steak, but will soften and surpass the Petaluma Gap with time.
You have here two top Pinot Noirs selling for a ridiculous Meomi price. There are many lesser Sonoma Pinots over $50.
@winesmith thanks for weighing in. Bought a case on your recommendation. I am new to this community but am already so thankful for your involvement in it. Your mixed case arrived a couple days ago and I’m hoping to pop a bottle tonight! I really have enjoyed your YouTube videos and have hinted to my family that your book would be the perfect holiday gift.
@dak52 Thanks! If you bought my mixed case of WineSmith reds, it may interest you to know that I’m doing a virtual tasting of them this Sunday at 3PM Pacific Time. Register free here.
@winesmith
Hi Clark! Thanks for posting this! I am registered and hope to be able to tune in, though I’m unlikely to open six bottles on a Sunday evening.
Tuning in for educational purposes.
@karenhynes Of course. Only mad winemakers do such things. The idea is to have an interesting conversation to record for posterity. I hope you can entertain us with some queries.
/giphy functional-unoccupied-metal
/giphy naive-rapid-twist
And both wines from Odedi (double who?)…
The Petaluma:
Reddish in color with medium intensity. Fruity nose with cherries, ripe strawberries, raspberries, light oak, vegetables, earth and spices. Medium-bodied with medium acidity. Dry on the palate with raspberries, strawberries, bing cherries, oak, wild flowers, light vanilla, spices, dark chocolates, herbs and peppercorn.
Medium finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.
This young Pinot Noir from Sonoma Coast is drinking nicely already. Fruit forward and easy drinking. Light and approachable. This Single Vineyard is showing mild complexity with a nice mouthfeel. After after an hour of airtime, it gets earthier, with some bitter herb notes. Would be nice to revisit it in 2 years. Good right out of the bottle and good with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. A very small production of only 5 barrels. 14.2% alcohol by volume.
89 points. 6/21
the Ivonne:
Ruby in color with a wide reddish rim. Fruity nose of cherries, raspberries, spices, light oak, chocolates, vanilla, licorice and black pepper. Medium plus in body with medium acidity. Soft and smooth. Dry on the palate with bing cherries, strawberries, raspberries, spices, light chocolates, oak, black pepper, licorice and light vanilla.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries. This is a tasty Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley. Easy drinking with mild complexity. Nicely balanced with a nice mouthfeel. Light and airy.
Still young, but already enjoyable, even by itself. Would be nice to see how this evolves in 3 to 5 years.
Good right out of the bottle. I gave it a light chill and paired it with a beautiful view. 100% Pinot Noir grapes were hand picked and aged for 12 months in French oak barrels (30% new). A small production of only 5 barrels made. 14.2% alcohol by volume.
90 points. 5/21
https://winesipping.wordpress.com/?s=kukeri
A couple of little blurbs here:
https://storystudio.sfgate.com/2019/03/26/from-bulgaria-with-love-kukeri-wines-petar-kirilov-turns-village-wisdom-into-gold-medals/
https://winetourmaker.com/en/bulgarian-winemakers-in-usa-petar-kirilov/
fwiw
Happy Thanksgiving All!
I am so thankful to Casemates community for featuring my wines.
Both Pinot Noir’s are really nice and ready drink now wines. The 2019 Kukeri Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is little bit more elegant and fruit forward, nice cherry notes with medium body and lingering acidity.
The 2019 Kukeri Petaluma Gap Pinot Noir is little bit more intense for me, with some nice darker fruit notes, black tea, little bit earthy with more tannins and refreshing acidity, will develop better with age.
Both wines are enjoyable with or without food.
Cheers!
Petar @ KukeriWines
@KukeriWines Hi Petar… What kind of drinking windows do you think the wines will have in an average basement environment?
@Boatman72 probably 5 years will be good estimate, if your basement keep a steady temperature during the really hot and cold months
Cheers
RRV and PG pinot noir, check
Good reviews from trusted palates, check
Big case discount, check
/giphy phenomenal-hot-spoon
First, one would have to search pretty seriously to find a group that eats as well as our beloved Lab Rats.
Second, on advice of counsel I roasted some black grapes just now and what a very good idea.
Third, sure is nice, almost perfect weather here in AZ in case certain people were looking for a climate safe place to send a bottle for rattage.
Kukeri has become an rpmAutoBuy over the past couple of years. We’ve enjoyed several cases. RRV Pinot Noir is among the best in the country, and the Petaluma Gap to the West and a bit North of Carneros has become a source of excellent Pinot Noir over the past decade. My cousins small wineries have sourced their Pinot Noir from the Petaluma Gap for more than a decade.
@rpm Mario still doing Pinot?
@rpm Checked my phone during a break in the Nutcracker and see this! Now I have a case of RRV Pinot coming to keep my case of Marshall Davis Oregon Pinot company… Thanks.
Well this would appear to be the extent of my Black Friday shopping (for me). In for a case.
Cheers!
I was excited to get an email about being a rat! I always greatly appreciate everyone’s posts. I received a set of the Kukeri 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Cuvée Ivonne and Kukeri Pinot Noir 2019 Petaluma Gap- Sonoma Coast Lakeville Vineyard on Thursday the 18th so tried these wines for comparison over the weekend.
I opened the Ivonne first. This bottle has thick foil, so be careful when opening! Also, the cork was extremely hard to remove and I had to get my husband to help.
First note: Smells like ripe bursting berries. Maybe plums, but sweet ones
First taste: Really light, almost airy. Light bodied, thin and thin legs. Some floral on nose but still bright fruit, berries mostly.
Jammy colored. Easy to sip. Tad bitter on finish. Needs air. Tastes young.
20 min later: Smells like a cherry slushie. Tastes like cherry cola. Much more drinkable. Less bitter at end. Rounded out. I kept calling this wine a cherry bomb. My husband loved it but it wasn’t up my alley on day 1. But boy was I wrong!
We saved wine for day 2, 3, and 4. Day 2 was amazing and I actually enjoyed how it opened up. Still cherry but less cherry cola. Tasted a tad drier and more velvety, which I preferred. I got more spice notes, vanilla. Day 3 was about the same. I dumped what was left on day 4 as it didn’t quite hold up.
This wine is drinking well now but I think can be put down for a few years too! Depending on your preferences, if you like a cherry bomb, drink now. If you like something with more layers and less cherry, hold off. I think this wine would have been amazing with a turkey and stuffing and went well with the few things we ate with it (pork chops, coffee-rubbed ribs, marinated flat iron, rice, quinoa, green beans, broccoli, brussel sprouts over the three days).
I tried the Petaluma Gap second and on day 1 much preferred this wine. However, day 2 it was a tie on flavor for me. This wine seems to be more ready at this point. Again, very thick foil but easy to get the cork out.
Initial nose: A little more robust smell- plums, dark red fruit. A little floral. Citrus? Cherry cola
First taste: dark stone fruit. Raspberry. Citrus again! Overall first impression: Floral, longer finish and less acid than other but heftier mouth feel (almost medium body… but still pinot) Still thin legs. Light body. Red but slightly orange in color. Smells and tastes a little more developed.
After letting it breathe, it seemed quite a bit sweeter than my initial impression. Day 2 especially after opening up a bit.
If you’re in need of a ready to go pinot noir, I’d snatch these up! Both wines are very drinkable now and drink differently, so there is something for everyone. I also think you can lay these down for a few years. Amazing price point on the case!
If anyone in SF wants to sell some bottles, we’d take 4 or 6!
anyone in Austin Tx for a split?
/giphy trained-thunderous-bird
If anyone in PDX wants half this case, message me!
How much more are you saving by buying a full case?
(Note: Tax & Shipping not included in savings calculations)
2019 Kukeri Pinot Noirs - $100 = 33.32%
/giphy noticeable-abject-termite
Got my case today! Thank you gift was a casemates Ah So!!! Thanks @winedavid49
Mine arrived today, too. Gift for 4 bottles was a cork-puller (aka Ah So). Will probably pop a Petaluma Gap tomorrow, and tuck the other three away for a year or two.