Poppy Monterey County Pinot Noir 2005

Poppy Pinot Noir might appear to be a case of a wine company responding to the post-Sideways market with near-perfect execution.  That would be hindsight though, because 2005 is Poppy’s third vintage.  The first vintage was just coming to market when Sideways was released in the fall of 2004.

Winemaker, music aficionado and sometimes surfer Eric Laumann calls the move to launch Poppy “somewhat serendipitous”.  He also credits his maturity (more than 20 years in the business) for “seeing what’s not out there”.

In 2003 Laumann became Head Winemaker for the newly formed Monterey Wine Company, a custom crush and winemaking operation in King City.  Aware of truckloads of primo Pinot Noir grapes which were heading north, and although the market wasn’t screaming for $10-12 Central Coast Pinots, Laumann could see what was missing.  His partner, grower and Company President Steve McIntyre agreed and Poppy was born.  What timing!

Laumann says they chose the name Poppy because of its association with California. “Because we grow grapes in all the best areas of California we can make a fine blend from the best of the regions.  Our wine speaks to the quality and value of California Pinot Noir.  Currently we are finding the best value, quality grapes in the Santa Lucia, Arroyo Seco and Santa Barbara appellations.”

When Eric isn’t working on Poppy (there is also a crisply styled Central Coast Chardonnay) he is busy making wine for others and another of his visionary projects, Cambiata* Winery.  Started in 2002 with the planting of 4 acres on leased vineyard property in Monterey, Cambiata is focused on two grapes seldom seen in California, Albariño and Tannat.  Albariño is well known in Rias Baixas in northwestern Spain where it is traditionally paired with local seafood.  Albariño makes for a true alternative white with crisp acidity and a unique opulence.  Laumann says Tannat is known as the “confidential grape”, and is traditionally “passed between friends” in the Basque region in France.  Tannat translates literally to “tannic”, and it is monumentally so, to the point of being outright difficult to tame.  “It is inky black, rich and non-responsive to normal cellar techniques, but we have found ways to tame it” says Laumann.

Poppy Monterey County Pinot Noir 2005 also contains fruit from Santa Barbara County and a smidgen from Russian River Valley.  The oak influence is minimal, imparted through use of oak staves in tanks for an equivalent average of about 5 months, about 15% new.  Cases produced: 7,000.

Appearance: Bright red ruby translucent. Aromas: Raspberry and plum with whiffs of pie spice and gravelly earth.  On the tongue, this is a light-middleweight Pinot, and is nicely tart with fine young tannins.  On the palate, cherry, pomegranate and plum flavors combine with light clove, tea and citrus rind accents that echo nicely in the dry finish.

Outstanding value ($10). Closure: Neocork. Alcohol content: 13.8%.

*Cambiata is a musical idiom popular in today’s music which was first popularized against the wishes of the church in the 16th century.  “Cambiata Nota” literally translates to “changed note”, but the concept really embodies in Eric Laumann’s words, “the added tonal dimension that occurs when two chords momentarily share properties, so that the transition has greater depth and mellifluence.”  Laumann’s goal is “divine proportion”.  He goes on to say “in modern times, no one embodied the Cambiata spirit as much as Hendrix - what if six were nine”.

Comments

[Pat Ens]

Love your wine. Where can I buy your wine in the Fresno, CA area?

[Tareq Zatair]

one of the best that I have had in a long time
superb had the 2005 cab.

[The Wine & Cheese Cellar]

We started carrying your Cabernet and Pinot Noir in our wine bar. Needless to say they have been a real hit with the customers that are looking for a great value. "Good Luck" with the Albariño, we carry that varietal also and it sold well.

Doug

[Christel]

Love yout Pinot Noir, was introduced to it on Crystal Symphony and am still enjoying it,so whennever I can find it I will buy a case.
Perfect sipping wine.

[Michele B.]

Hi, I just had your Pinot Noir over the weekend and it is excellent. Where can I purchase it in the San Jose area?

[Laurie]

Just had your Poppy at Koberl at Blue in SLO and loved it! Where can we buy it in Orange County, CA?
~Laurie