Last night, with a light dinner, we opened a bottle of:
2004 Joseph Swan Pinot Noir "Cuvée de Trois" nose: initially, oaky, cherries, later, minerals, smoke palate: initially, thick, soft, taking on a leaner, more precise profile later, good acidity, smooth finish, good fruit
Purchased last May at the winery, this wine struck me as a wholly different beast upon first opening. However, after 15-20 minutes, it had become something closer to my memory of it, showing good tart fruit, a mineral streak and a bit of smokiness to accompany the red cherry fruit. This Pinot Noir is Swan's largest (and cheapest) offering. Still very attractive, it augurs well for the fate of the single vineyard bottlings.
Mark Lipton