Reviews

THE WILDER SIDE OF CALIFORNIA
Doug Wilder, Issue 28

Vinfolio
Special Edition: The Top 25 of 2005
St. Helena, CA - December 2, 2005

https://www.vinfolio.com/jsp/public/wine-offers/Wilder%20Side%20-%2028.html

VINTAGE     WINE                                                            PRODUCTION       RATING
2003             Derbes - Pinot Noir Russian River Valley         200 cases            VF 95

THE WILDER SIDE OF CALIFORNIA
Doug Wilder, Issue 22

Vinfolio
A bevy of Pinot Noir
St. Helena, CA - October 21, 2005

http://www.vinfolio.com/jsp/public/wine-offers/Wilder%20Side-22-10-21-05.pdf

Is it just me or is the Pinot Noir on the market more delicious than ever?   This week alone I’ve tasted about a dozen wines that were sensational but narrowed it down to my top six.

2003 Derbes - Pinot Noir Russian River Valley; Vinfolio rating: 95 points
Cecile Derbes has certainly made me smile lately with her wines. Her 2001 and 2002 Russian River Chardonnays are delicious and have appeared in this column already (93 points and 92 points, $43
each, WSC Issue 2).    Another previously released effort from Cecile is Les Pinots, a light bodied wine
made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Muenier.   The real news here is her premiere release of
this fantastic Russian River Pinot Noir.

The nose bursts with gorgeous aromatics of orange-scented spice box, dense cherry and tar.   The mouthfeel is seamlessly smooth with a fat richness on the mid-palate continuing with mineral and smoky cherry.   This is beautifully balanced wine with a long finish.   Drink 2005-2012.

MARCH 29, 2005 FAMILY WINEMAKERS OF CALIFORNIA, PASADENA, CA
6th Annual Trade Tasting
http://www.grape-nutz.com/tastings/fwc05_03.html

Among the "finds" at this tasting ... Derbes with a trio of fantastic Chardonnays.

2001 Chardonnay - Carneros. Lots of crisp aromas and flavors of lemon and lime accented by touches of pear and apple.

2002 Chardonnay - Carneros. Similar to the '01 with more of an earthier tone throughout.

2002 Chardonnay - RRV. Fuller and richer in mouthfeel than the Carneros bottlings, with just a touch of crisp celery and an intriguing "freshness" in the nose.

2002 "Les Pinots". About a 50/50 blend of Pinot Noir co-fermented with Pinot Meunier brings out a nice fleshiness in nose and mouth. Nice balance through mid-palate, with a touch of sweetness on the finish. Comments: Winemaker Cecile Derbes shows a deft hand with these 'very French' styled Chards. And the Pinot blend is also delightful.

PINOTREPORT
www.pinotreport.com
RELEASE DATE: 4/15/05

SMART BUY!
"Light and elegant..."
Derbes Wines
Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Les Pinots 2002
Medium-deep ruby color; earthy, rich, spice and red berry aromas; spicy, red berry and mineral flavors with good stucture and balance, lingering finish. A lighter, more elegant style, this is a really pleasing blend of Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir from the Derbes family in Russian River Valley.

210 cases made
$40
Score: 89