Pinot Noir

Jan 122013
 
2010 V. Sattui Winery Henry Ranch Pinot Noir, Los Carneros, Napa Valley, CA, $39 (S) – Rating 90

This Pinot is a bit tight upon opening but really blossoms after about 30 minutes. A soft nose of black cherry jam and spice is the prelude to a lush and soft mouth-feel with flavors of black cherry, plum, tobacco and baking spice with just enough acidity for good food pairing. Patience is rewarded. Buy This Wine

Dec 062012
 
2009 Trione Vineyards & Winery Russian River Valley Pinot Noir,  River Road Ranch, $35 (S) – Rating 92

Proof that a big flavorful Pinot Noir can be very well-balanced and satisfying. The rich nose is a bit tight at first offering rich notes of dark berry, ripe raspberry, briar and spice. A superb round mouth-feel with supple and well integrated tannins. Flavors of cherry, ripe strawberry and raspberry are dominate with intriguing hints of cola, vanilla and baking spice combining for a mom’s Pinot pie sensation. As the wine opens, the nose becomes richer and the finish becomes more complex with leather and dark spice. Buy This Wine

Dec 042012
 
2008 Inman Family Olivet Grange Vineyard (OGV) Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA, $63(S) – Rating 92

Produced with 5 Pinot Noir clones in a 10 acre vineyard, the wine is complex with an inviting nose of raspberry, plum, cherry and spice. Decant for 30+minutes to develop its full potential. Flavors on the palate include cherry, plum, raspberry and blueberry with notes of cranberry and baking spice. As it opens, notes of briar, smoke and leather add depth in the long finish. Zippy acidity with soft tannins make for good food paring potential. Buy This Wine

Nov 132012
 
2009 Lava Cap Winery Vine Hill Pinot Noir, El Dorado, CA, $34 (S) – Rating 89

A lean and clean style of Pinot Noir with a gentle nose of raspberry and cherry. Flavors of raspberry, cherry, strawberry and spice are well integrated with supple tannins and a hint Burgundian earthiness and minerality. Enough acidity to pair well with lighter grilled meats or salmon. Buy This Wine

Oct 282012
 
2008 Youngberg Hill Jordan Pinot Noir, McMinnville, OR, $40 (S) – Rating 89

A refreshing nose of cherry, blackberries with notes of licorice. This medium-bodied Pinot offers flavors of cherry, blackberry and ripe plum with notes of black spice and a hint of dark chocolate on the finish. Nicely balanced tannins adds to the complexity. The integrated acidity enhances this wine’s food pairing potential.  Buy this Wine