2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills, Australia, $13 (S) – Rating 86
A light-bodied and easy drinking Pinot offering notes of cherry, plum, spice with hints of oaky vanilla.
Feb 182012
Red Wine
Feb 182012
2010 Garnet Pinot Noir, Carneros, CA, $19 (S) – Rating 89
A super-value Pinot Noir, can be found for $15. Very smooth, easy drinker with balanced acidity and flavors of cherry, raspberry, spice and cola. Ready to drink – not for the cellar. Also a good restaurant choice because of the immediate drinkability.
Feb 182012
2009 Salt Lick Cellars Sangiovese Reserve, Samor Vineyards, Driftwood, TX, $35 – Rating 89
Another example of the ever improving wines from Texas. Winemaker Kim McPherson of McPherson Cellars and winegrower/winemaker Jay Knepp of Salt Lick Cellars (Famous Salt Lick BBQ-Austin) worked together to create this beauty. Well-balanced acidity and flavors of smoky cherry, plum, strawberry, spice and vanilla. A very Texas version of this Italian standard. And yes, it pairs quite well with Salt Lick BBQ!
Feb 182012
2009 MacPhail Family Wines Wightman House Vineyard Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, CA, $55 (S) – Rating 93
A rich and somewhat unique Pinot, still in the winning James MacPhail style. Flavors of ripe dark cherry, plum, toasty oak vanilla and plenty of spice with very well integrated tannins adding complexity. Definitely a big-boy Pinot and a real joy to drink.
Feb 172012
2009 Masut Vineyard and Winery Pinot Noir. Mendocino, CA, $40 (S) – Rating 92
Third generation winemakers Ben and Jake Fetzer’s inaugural effort under the Masut Vineyard label is a winner! Long on finesse and bright fruit with flavors of black cherry, blueberry, ripe cranberry, spice with hints of oaky vanilla. All estate fruit from a 23-acre vineyard, only 800 cases. Ranked #50 on Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 list for 2011.
