Sep 122013
 
2011 Belle Glos Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterrey County, CA, $44 (S) – Rating 92

For those craving a lush yet balanced style of Pinot Noir, this offering from Belle Glos will not disappoint. A rich and structured nose of dark cherry, plum and jammy spice is a mere prelude to a palate explosion of cherry, blackberry and plum with hints of raspberry and dark chocolate on the long finish. Balanced acidity and supple tannins add complexity. Buy This Wine

Aug 262013
 
2011 Belle Glos Diaryman Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA, $44 (S) – Rating 92

A wonderful new addition to the Belle Glos lineup of single-vineyard Pinot Noirs. As single-vineyard wines should, this Pinot offers a unique combination of flavors when compared to the other Belle Glos Pinots. A robust nose of black cherry, ripe plum, black fruit with hints of rhubarb and cinnamon. An interesting balance of juicy acidity and supple tannins on the palate with rich delicious flavors of dark cherry, ripe plum, dark spice, cinnamon and cola with just a hint of chocolate on the finish. Buy This Wine

Aug 062013
 
2010 Inman Family Wines Olivet Grange Vineyard (OGV) Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, CA, $68 (S) – Rating 92

Kathleen Inman’s wines have recently seen a lot of well deserved positive press. An excellent expression of organic Russian River Pinot Noir, light and bright yet powerful. Crisp with only 12.5% alcohol, it offers aromas of cherry, blueberry and raspberry with complimentary spicy notes. A velvety mouth-feel with beautifully integrated flavors of cherry, blackberry, blueberry and dark spice with hints of cola and espresso in the long finish. Buy This Wine

Jul 282013
 
2011 Dancing Coyote Wines Pinot Noir, Estate Grown, Clarksburg, CA, $14 (S) – Rating 89

An easy drinking Pinot Noir at an excellent price. A bright nose of cherry, blackberry, raspberry with notes of spice and leather. Medium bodied and fruit forward with soft tannins combined with flavors of cherry, plum and spice with balanced acidity. Enticing hints of leather in the finish. Buy This Wine

Jul 282013
 
2011 Cakebread Cellars Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley, CA, $50 (S) – Rating 91

An interestingly complex Pinot Noir with an earthy nose of cherry, raspberry, plum and spice with notes of blueberry. French oak aging creates a medium-bodied Pinot with supple tannins with flavors of dark cherry, rhubarb, plum, minerality and brown spice. Juicy acidity offers many food pairing possibilities. Cherry and leather in the long finish. Buy This Wine