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Tag Archives: pinot noir

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Pinot Noir 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand

21 Thursday Mar 2019

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$19, 5 stars, 90 points, marlborough, new zealand, pinot noir


Quite dark but lacking much opacity in the glass.  On the nose it reeks of New World Pinot goodness.  Cherry cobbler, vanilla and strawberry coulis all hit me on the nose.  The palate has a gorgeous initial streak of bing cherry, blueberry (yup), cedar and spice box.  There is a fruitcake note on the midpalate that tempers some acidity.  The wine finishes with a slightly green note- capsicum comes to mind, but it’s quite nice.  The vegetal twist alongside the red fruit works well here.  There is an underlying astringency from the very feint tannins.  This is a delicious wine for immediate consumption or a few years in the cellar. 90 points and 5 stars for this $19 effort.  Pair with roast chicken, grilled salmon or Veal chops.  You can read my previous reviews of the Saint Clair lineup to see I am a huge fan, for good reason.  Salut….

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Domaine Mazilly Pere and Fils Pommard Les Noizons 2011, Cote de Beaune, France

08 Friday Mar 2019

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$45, 4 stars, 90 points, burgundy, france, pinot noir


Typical Pinot Noir in the glass, light, reddish, totally see through.  I can smell it from four feet away, the waft is amazing.  It’s rather young on the nose- cherries, mushroom, spruce.  On the initial palate it presents with loads of fine grained tannins.  The fruit comes later.  Cherry, strawberry, balsamic essence and cola hit me.  The mid palate is one-dimensional- sour bing cherry.  The tannins really grip on the finish and leave me with a very dry set of gums, almost painful- which is rare for me and Pinot.  The finish also shows off rhubarb, the sour kind.  The acidity presents itself in mysterious ways some times!  There is a uniqueness to this wine, I can’t pinpoint it.  Could it be the freshness of the acidity, the gushing amounts of tannin or the way it leaves my mouth feeling?  Anyways- I am enjoying it and will probably run some through the Vinturi to soften it a bit.  For now, 90 points and 4 stars for this $45 bottle.  Drink from 2022-2033.  Salut….

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Hamilton Russell Vineyards Pinot Noir 2015, Hemel-en-Aarde Valley, South Africa

01 Friday Mar 2019

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$44, 4 stars, 91 points, pinot noir, South Africa


Dark yet not very opaque.  Typical for the varietal.  Gorgeous nose of cherry reduction, dare I say mushrooms and old oak.  The palate is super smooth and full bodied, showing off cherries and cola.  The oak is dominant in this wine, but not obtrusive. The mid palate is round and slightly tannic. The cherries march on and the wine finishes with coconut notes, probably from the wood.  91 points and 4 stars for this $44 effort.  Drink this Pinot Noir till 2025 with pasta, roasted Chicken or a cheese and salami plate.  Salut….

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Failla Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2017, California, USA

26 Saturday Jan 2019

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$39, 3 stars, 89 points, california, pinot noir, sonoma coast


I wrote about the 2016 Failla recently so it was interesting to sample the younger version.  Strawberry coulis nose from this darker red Pinot Noir  On the palate I get raspberry, strawberry and crunchy tannins.  The mid palate has a pepper component alongside bing cherry.  The finish is medium in length with that strawberry core flavor returning.  The acidity is decent and the mouthfeel is good.  A touch young- it could benefit from some cellaring.  Drink till 2029.  89 points $39 make this a solid 3 star wine.  Consistent with the previous vintage.  Salut….

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Domaine Mazilly Pere & Fils Beaune Vignes Franches 1er Cru 2010, Burgundy, France

03 Thursday Jan 2019

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$50, 4 stars, 91 points, burgundy, france, pinot noir


I have sat on this one for a while, letting the Burgundian volatility settle and hopefully get some tertiary flavors, a little funk all the while maintaining fruit composition and freshness.

In the glass it is somewhat darker than expected for a Pinot Noir.  On the nose- cherry, funky forest floor, mushrooms and game.  The palate is definitely on track- Garrigue, cherry, balsamic reduction and rooibos tea all come to mind.  The mid palate has an unripe cherry note, or is it sour pomegranate? And dare I say- cork taste (as in chewing on the edge of a dry crumbly cork).  Very peculiar but interesting nonetheless.  The tannins are hitting my lower gums at this point, with a hint of acidity.  The finish is full on cherry, with a pucker from some tea as the tannins are astringent, but nice.  This wine is young.  It will evolve further and the tannins will meld better.  I see some more development with the secondary flavors but hope the unripe cherry component doesn’t remain.  Overall a tasty wine that will do well with the charcoal grilled Strips and mashed potatoes I’m pairing it with.  91 points and 4 stars for this $50 effort.  Drink till 2027.  Salut….

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Louis Latour Cote de Beaune Villages 2015, Burgundy, France

01 Tuesday Jan 2019

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$23, 4 stars, 89 points, burgundy, france, pinot noir


The wine is see-through, medium purple with nice legs. On the nose it lacks immediate scents- I am swirling like crazy to finally get strawberry and capsicum. On the palate I taste kirsch, strawberry and rhubarb.  A nice crunchy acidity accompanied the fruit from the get go.  On the mid palate it is more red currants with some berry hints.  The tannins kick in on the very end where the finish is red fruits and a touch of oak. 89 points and 4 stars for this entry level Burgundy that ran $23.  Drink till 2024 with skirt steak, Cornish hen or cheese and crackers.  Salut….

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Chamonix Feldspar Pinot Noir 2015, Franschhoek Valley, South Africa

15 Saturday Dec 2018

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$30, 4 stars, 92 points, Franschhoek, pinot noir, South Africa


This has to be the lightest colored Pinot I have ever come across, the light red color has accents of orange and resembles strawberry juice.  The nose is totally different- packed with flavors it belies the visual assumptions.  Strawberry, kirsch, cinnamon and a touch of oregano all hit the nose. The palate is slippery smooth, very elegant yet has a surging power waiting to release.  Strawberries, cherry torte, vanilla and rhubarb all appear on the palate.  Extremely fine grained tannins are present, as is some lithe acidity that really hits on the mid – to finish.  Speaking of which- I get sour cherries on the backend that I’m really enjoying.  Toasty oak is prominent throughout but not obnoxious.  I’m serving this up with grilled monkfish and boiled potatoes.  A perfect match.  92 points and 4 stars for the $30 price point.  I am really enjoying it!  Drink till 2023.  Salut….

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Loring Wine Co. Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir 2016, Central Coast, USA

08 Saturday Dec 2018

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$32, 4 stars, 91 points, california, central coast, pinot noir


Medium opacity, certainly not a light Pinot.  Explosive nose of cherry, rhubarb and violets.  On the palate, that old world nose gave way to new world juiciness, freshness and very integrated tannins.  Flavors of cherry, bramble, pie crust and cinnamon hit me at the onset.  Towards the mid palate it ramps up with a great acidity with some strawberry marching in.  The finish is long, with Kirsch and plenty of pH, alongside some oaky nuances.  I like this wine, a lot.  91 points and 4 stars- you can find it for $32 which places it in the 4 star category.  Cellar some and drink till 2026.  Salut….

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Storm Chaser Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Reserve 2015

03 Saturday Nov 2018

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$45, 92 points, oregon, pinot noir, willamette valley


One of the lightest, most clear wines I have ever seen.  On the nose- strawberry, violets, maraschino cherry and a faint touch of oak.  On the palate it is lithe, smooth, tasty and well balanced.  Strawberries and rhubarb hit me.  The mid palate is so smooth and brimming with red fruits.  The tannins are quite present for a Pinot, I am enjoying them immensely.  The dryness continues on the medium to long finish which has more strawberry.  92 points for this very seductive wine made by Eola Hills that gets 5 stars.  $45 at the cellar door.   Drink till 2025 with roast Cornish hens, NY Strip or some cheese and crackers.  Salut….

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David Hill Reserve Pinot Noir 2015, Willamette Valley, USA

27 Thursday Sep 2018

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$40, 4 stars, 91 points, oregon, pinot noir, willamette valley


Super pale, with virtually no opacity.  The nose is neither old- nor new-world.  A mix between the two.  Classic cherry with the addition of strawberry coulis.  A hint of rose water hits me right at the end.  On the palate this wine is super smooth, with a great mouthfeel.  Tannins are just present, the acidity is finite and balancing.  The cherry flavors give way to roasted coffee and vanilla bean.  The mid palate is lush with ripe black cherries with a tannic thrust.  The fruit really comes out on the finish alongside a charred oak note.  It is intriguing, delicious and nice to drink.  I am pairing it with cherry glazed pork chops and roasted potatoes.  It would do a roasted Cornish Hen justice IMHO.  Great Fall wine to go and seek out.  91 points and 4 stars for this $40 wine.  Salut….

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