Molnar Family Poseidon’s Vineyard Carneros Pinot Noir 2011

The 2011 Molnar Family Poseidon’s Vineyard Pinot Noir is one suave, sophisticated Pinot Noir. Seductive in the nose, it offers enticing scents of crushed strawberries, cherry and plum along with a seductive hint of exotic spice. Dressed in a silky smooth body, the wine’s caressing aromatics happily follow through on the palate and mingle with hints of forest woodlands, herbs, and a cachet of Asian spices. Smooth, textured, and expansive in the mouth, this mid weight Pinot Noir offers ideal drinking now and over the next several years. For optimal enjoyment of Molnar’s enchanting 2011 Poseidon’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, we suggest affording the wine 15-20 minutes of aeration in the glass before serving. And most will find this racy Pinot Noir at its best at cool room temperature (60º-66º F). Enjoy!

When Pinot Noir is as expansive and textured as the 2011 Molnar Family Poseidon’s Vineyard Pinot Noir, it needs little in the way of accompaniment to shine. In fact, this silky Pinot Noir is a joy to drink on its own. Yet, Molnar’s savory Pinot Noir has the ability to transform a meal into a feast. So, why not pair it with roast duck or chicken or a simple beef or pork roast? Spiral sliced ham, served with a savory homemade potato salad, leek tart, or cheese pie gets our nod, too. Traditional French classics such as Coq au Vin; Boeuf Bourguignon; and Rack of Lamb, served with tender young vegetables and Mediterranean garnish provide Molnar’s delicious Pinot Noir additional opportunities to work its magic. A plate of three or four soft cheeses, served with ripe apples, provides another simple treat. Bon Appétit!

Nicolas Molnar survived the 1956 Hungarian Uprising and managed to escape the oppression foisted upon his country under the Soviet occupation. His odyssey led him to America where in the early 1960s he discovered Napa Valley. The wines of Napa Valley reminded him of Hungary. The land was both bountiful and beautiful, and in retrospect, ripe for the taking. When everyone else with a few dollars and a passion for wines was buying land in the northern part of Napa Valley and planting Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon in the hot zones of Napa, Molnar quietly began purchasing land and developing vineyards in the coolest part of southern Napa in a place called Carneros.

In the 1960s, sheep outnumbered people in Carneros, which lies along San Pablo Bay (the northern extension of San Francisco Bay). Most of Nicholas Molnar’s contemporaries thought he was crazy for choosing Carneros over more favored locales in Napa. Happily for us, Molnar knew what he was doing. He planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in his vineyards, the two varietals perfectly suited to the terroir of Carneros.

In 1973 Nicolas Molnar planted the now legendary Poseidon Vineyard, and for three decades some of the finest California Chardonnay and Pinot Noir have emerged from this vineyard, only to make its way into bottles bearing the names of California’s most renowned wineries. Acacia, Heitz, Mumm Napa Valley, Joseph Phelps, Pride Mountain, and Sterling are just a few of the names that coveted Nicolas Molnar’s stellar viticultural wares, until Nicolas’ sons decided it was time for the family to do their own thing.

With the assistance of Michael Terrien, one of California’s premier Chardonnay and Pinot Noir winemakers, the Molnar family began several years ago to make small batches of their own wine from the Poseidon Vineyard. Before practicing his magic at the Molnar Family’s Poseidon Vineyard, Michael Terrien made award winning wines for Hanzell and Acacia, where he served as both Winemaker and General Manager. His Acacia Pinot Noir garnered top awards and was rated among Wine Spectator’s top 100 wines in the world. His work at Molnar has been no less impressive. Recently, the talented Alex Beloz has joined the team to steer the course.