Wine Review – 2006 Ici La-Bas “Les Reveles” Elke Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, California

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Winery: Ici La-Bas IciLaBas

Bottling: 2006 “Les Reveles” Elke Vineyard Pinot Noir

Region: California

Sub-Region: Anderson Valley, Mendocino County

Estimated Retail Price: $22-$25

Purchase Details: Purchased off of the wine menu from Hiroshi Eurasian Tapas & Wine Bar in Honolulu, HI.

Tasting Notes: In the glass, a very light and translucent rose color.  On the nose, muted smells of cranberry and cherry and a hint of rose.  In the mouth, dark raspberries, cherries, cranberries, forest floor, potting soil and a drying finish.  Tight and firm tannins and a light-bodied mouth-feel completed the experience of this wine.  We definitely drank this wine a little young in its life, which is why it had such an earthy driven flavor profile.

I was actually a little bummed when the server brought this 2006 vintage out instead of the 2005 that was listed on the menu.  They were out of the 2005 and so the 2006 was our next option.  I know the wines from Ici La-Bas definitely need a little time in the cellar, which is why I was just slightly disappointed with drinking the 2006.

Food Pairing & Context in Which to Enjoy: These are great cellar worthy value wines from Ici La-Bas.  A simple filet of salmon and herbs would be great with this wine.

Winery & Other Background Information: Background information on this winery is pretty hard to come by.  If it weren’t for my time in the trade, I wouldn’t have known that this wine is made by Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat.  You can see that the Ici La Bas line of wines are reflective of the wine making style of Jim Clendenen.  His wines are not very open knit or approachable on release, but man, if you have the patience, you’ll be pleasantly rewarded if you wait a few years after release.

The Ici La-Bas label has also included an Oregon pinot noir in the past as well as a chardonnay from Anderson Valley.  I had a 2002 chardonnay back in 2007, when the wine was five years old and it was great.  The pinots also age very well and possess the same old-world sensibility of the Au Bon Climat wines.

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