Tag Archives: pinot noir

Papa Nui Reserve Pinot Noir 2014, Chile

03 Sunday Sep 2017

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A very opaque and delicate looking Pinot Noir from Chile.  The nose is a combination of Old and New World.  I get cherry, strawberry and funk.  Mushrooms and game also take a turn on my senses.  On the palate, I get a fresh cherry attack with some cola and a touch of the gaminess I sensed earlier.  The mid palate exposes a very lively acidity that keeps me on my toes.  The flavors are decidedly New World from here on in.  Strawberry and cherry on the mid translate to a nice red berry finish with just a touch of tannic dryness.  The acidity is the dominant force but is not overwhelming.  A nice wine with good mouthfeel and balance in my opinion.  Serve with roasted chicken in garlic marinade or perhaps Filet Mignon with Bearnaise and roasted asparagus.  89+ points, and for $13 it’s a steal worthy of 5 stars.  Salut….

Domaine Louis Boillot Clos de la Chapelle 2008, Volnay Premier Cru, France

11 Friday Aug 2017

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I wrote about the 2008 Louis Boillot Volnay back in 2012 and promised to re-taste.  It was not a year later, but several.  Anyway, here goes.

Almost an orange purple see-through complexion.  Signs of middle age perhaps?  The nose has an earthiness to it alongside cranberries, strawberries and some wheat kernels.  You probably never saw that one as a descriptor!  The wine tastes much better than I remember, with a nice intro to some strawberry, barnyard and green peppers. It is very smooth with barely perceptible tannins until they reach a crescendo on the finish.  The wine’s acidity is on pointe with a nice cut to it.  The mid palate is all about secondary flavors.  The development is a treat.  This wine has evolved very nicely from what I thought was atypical Burgundy, into the quintessential Pinot Noir that defines Old World charm and character.  I am loving it!  I paid $40 per bottle back in the day and it looks like I ordered 6 bottles, I am hoping to cellar dive and come up with the other 4!  92 points and 5 stars.  Salut….

louis billet volley Close de la Chapelle

Domaine Jean Fery & Fils Les Vergelesses 2010, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru, France

03 Thursday Aug 2017

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I don’t think I have seen a lighter opacity in a wine before.  It is see-through and barely purple, more of a red. After a swirl in the BAG (Big Assed Glass), shaped like a tulip and made specially for Burgundy wines- I get an amazing cherry meets forest floor and mushrooms kinda scent.  Strawberries feature, but only just.  On the palate, super smooth offerings of violet, bing cherry, some acidity and a touch of dryness.  The mid palate has an earthier component to it and the mushrooms pop up again.  The acidity is prevalent here and continues to makes its presence known throughout the rather long finish.  This is an elegant wine that is still too young at 7 years of age.  It will mellow more and develop some nice secondary flavors IMHO.  I would drink until 2025 at the least if not more.  I’m grilling up some bourbon/honey marinated skirt steaks and sauteed creamy Kale.  I think the combo will work.  I reckon this is a 91 point effort that gets 4 stars for its $40 quality to price ratio.  Salut….

Domaine Jean Fery & Fils Les Vergelesses, Savigny-les-Beaune Premier Cru

Ferrari-Carano Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2014, Anderson Valley, USA

26 Monday Jun 2017

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Very pale purple and completely see-through.  Why is this important?  Pinot Noir has several unique traits- it is a seductive grape that does not need extraction.  It treats tannins completely different to other varietals in my opinion.  It’s charm and elegance come from it’s fragility on the vine, a very difficult grape to cultivate well.  It takes on one of two personalities:  Old World with funk, earthiness and mainly cherry, whereas New World styles give more strawberry, a fruit forward style that appeals to many yet doesn’t quite allow for tertiary development.  I like both styles but prefer Old World.

This one is a New World child with fresh strawberries, some bing cherry and cinnamon?  Not sure, but it is intriguing.  The initial taste confirms my New World suspicions.  Strawberry shortcake, vanilla bean and red currants.  A touch of acidity tidy the package up nicely and let the tannins introduce themselves on the mid palate.  If you have followed me for a while you will know that I had a hard time discerning tannic structure in Pinots.  I’m learning and getting better.  Thanks for asking.

This wine has a gorgeous mouthfeel, the dryness of the tannins is very gentle and the acidity is very mild, not cutting but definitely present.  The finish is mid-length and continues the strawberry theme with some acai berry notes.  The 14.5% alcohol is very well disguised but will bode well for this wine in the cellar.  I believe it has some potential and will drink well until 2025.  I would pair it with roast cornish hens, perhaps a grilled pork chop with apple stuffing.  90 points and 3 stars for this $27 bottle.  Salut….

ferrari-carano pinot noir

Highflyer Doctor’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012, Santa Lucia Highlands, USA

24 Saturday Jun 2017

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Dark purple, brooding and opaque.  The nose is black cherry, dare I say blackberry as well?  The palate is tasty, with the blackberry theme continuing as well as some really fine tannins that are well integrated.  Extraction is obvious with this one, but not overdone.  The mid palate is refrained compared with the initial taste.  I get dark cherry jam and a vegetal note- very interesting.  The finish is smooth with more dark fruits and a hint of acidity.  I would drink this with a filet and roasted veggies or perhaps marinated flank steak.  It needs a lean cut of beef to shine methinks. 90 points and 4 stars for this $25 wine.  Salut….

highflyer pinot noir

Ceja Vineyards Pinot Noir 2012, Carneros, USA

24 Saturday Jun 2017

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Reddish purple but nearly see through in the glass.  The nose is of strawberry and rhubarb.  On the palate it is strawberry pie meets cherry with a noticeable up front acidity.  The mid palate is where it’s at with this wine- much rounder mouthfeel with flavors of red berries, more rhubarb and some tannins that are ever so gently caressing my gums.  The finish is really smooth, long and reminiscent of more strawberry notes.  Roasted chicken with garlic comes to mind.  89 points and 3 stars for this $56 effort.  Salut….

ceja pinot noir

 

Artesa Winery Carneros Pinot Noir 2014, Napa Valley, USA

10 Saturday Jun 2017

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I travel a ton through the San Francisco airport where there is an American Express Centurion lounge.  This particular lounge has a wine tasting machine that includes some very delectable offerings such as this lovely Carneros  Pinot Noir.  Sorry about the poor image quality but I had to shoot through the glass of the vending machine.

Very opaque, on the lighter side of purple.  The nose is very much New World- strawberries, nutmeg and a touch of anise.  The initial taste is very easygoing, delicate and fruity with framboise, strawberry and barely a trace of acidity or tannins at this stage.  The mid palate has a slightly green edge to it and this is where I detect some tannic components as well as a balancing acidity- both of which are very mild.  This wine has elegance and seduction, is very understated yet somewhat complex and nicely crafted.  The finish has a decent length to it and comprises of more strawberry and now a touch of bing cherry.  Tannins are present till the very end.  90 points, $20 make this a 4 star wine to drink from now till 2022 with grilled salmon, veal scallopini or just some good cheese and meat cuts.  Salut….

Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Pinot Noir 2015

13 Thursday Apr 2017

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I love this wine, so every time I see a bottle, it’s in the bag.  This latest vintage is no exception.  I forgot to take a picture so have had to use a stock photo.

Dark purple, nearly see-through.  Nose is gorgeous, a mix of strawberry, cherry and the key component….vanilla cherry cola.  The palate is amazing- black cherries, strawberry pie and super smooth acidity.  There are just a hint of tannins, perfect for a Pinot Noir.  This wine is 100% New World, totally awesome and necessary for any cellar.  This is a spectacular wine that gets 93 points from me and 5 stars.  If you can find it, buy it.  My sources are coming up at $25.  Drink this wine all by itself to truly appreciate its nuances, or if you must pair it- Lamb chops, Venison, Steak au Poivre.  Salut….

Dog Point Pinot Noir 2011, Marlborough, New Zealand

18 Saturday Mar 2017

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Somewhat darker and denser for a Pinot.  The nose is all about the New World- strawberry, cranberry and rhubharb dominate.  On the palate I am getting spice, strawberry coulis and pomegranate.  The mid palate shows off some cherry notes as well.  The acidity of this wine is on pointe, just enough to let you know it is there and all the while balancing out the ever so slight tannins that are lurking.  The finish is nice, refreshing and laced with more strawberry notes.  This is a good wine.  I am thinking 92 points at the least.  It retails for $40, but I got it on sale for $22 making it a superb deal.  5 stars from me and hoping to find more!  Salut….

dog point pinot noir

Bodega Aniello ‘006’ Pinot Noir 2015, Rio Negro, Argentina

09 Thursday Mar 2017

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When I see a wine on sale for $15 that got a 93 point rating then I am all in, especially a Pinot Noir. I bought this one without hesitation. My own notes are slightly different than the pros, could be bottle variation, age, or just my palate.

Very pale red and see through in the glass. Nose of pomegranate and cranberry. On the palate, much more body than I was expecting. Notes of strawberry coulis, violets and a touch of gaminess. The wine has some good acidity and freshness that I’m enjoying. The alcohol, at a reasonable 13.5% is somehow showing up on the finish. I plan on pairing this decent wine with some shrimp and grits… let’s see how that works. 89 points from me on this $15 offering make it a 3 star wine. Salut….

a niello pinot noir

Very pale and see through