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Retrospective - Pinot Noir
It's a hard grape to grow. As you know. Right? It's, uh, it's thin- skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It's, you know, it's not a survivor like Cabernet, which can just grow anywhere and thrive even when it's neglected. No, Pinot needs constant care and attention. You know? And, in fact, it can only grow in these really specific, little tucked-away corners of the world. And only the most patient and nurturing of growers can do it, really. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression." -Miles, from Sideways
Those words say it all. Ask any winemaker what grape they would like to grow and the majority would say Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir when done right produces sublime wines. We had the opportunity to taste some beautiful Pinot Noirs from around the world.
Thanks to everyone that attended the tasting. We all had a lot of fun. For those that could not make it, here are the incredible wines that you missed. We hope you will join is next time.
Here are the wines that we tasted and my ratings (out of 5 stars):
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Georg Breuer, Spätburgunder, Rheingau, Germany, 2005 |
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The surprise of the night. A beautiful, well structured Pinot Noir from Germany with aromas of earth and mushroom followed by ripe red fruits leading to a nice long finish. It is no wonder that the Germans keep most of this wine for their own consumption. |
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Kotare, Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand, 2006 |
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Bright and vibrant nose and flavor of red cherries and berries. This is a very well made wine from the Northern tip of the Southern island of New Zealand. This wine has none of the burnt rubber flavors that I usually get from New Zealand reds which I personally do not like. This is nice fruity wine that you may want to serve slightly chilled with grilled chicken in the backyard. |
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Summerland, Pinot Noir, Santa Barbara, CA, 2006 |
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I have always liked the Santa Barbara region. The wines from this region are a cross between the old world and the new world – fruity with a subdued elegance. This Pinot Noir is no exception. The fruit for this bottling was sourced primarily from various blocks in the famous Bien Nacido Vineyard. This is a well-balanced Pinot Noir with dark cherry flavors with subtle nuances of earthiness. This wine drinks big and can actually complement red meats off the grill. |
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B. R. Cohn, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Sonoma, CA, 2006 |
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Russian River Valley has become one of the better areas in California for Pinot Noir. The cool coastal breeze from the Pacific coupled with a lot of sunshine is ideal for the Pinot Noir grape, producing wines that are rich in fruit but with perfectly balanced acidity. This wine is no exception. B. R. Cohn is known for their Cabernet Sauvignons, but they have crafted one of the better Pinot Noirs from this region. This is a complex wine that shows of rich and fruity flavors that one associates with California – black cherries, strawberries and hint of oak. It is rich and smooth on the palate with a long lingering finish. |
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Vincent Girardin, Santenay, 1er Cru la Maladière, Bourgogne, France, 2005 |
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A young talented producer from Burgundy that is catching a lot of attention. This is what makes Pinot Noir great. Earth, mushrooms, wild berries, black cherries and chocolate. Wow!!! Give me more of this. From the great vintage of 2005, this wine has definitely come into its own over the last year since I last tasted it. Sweet red fruit and great acidity. |
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Domaine Serene, Pinot Noir, Yamhill Cuvee, Willamette Valley, OR, 2006 |
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One of the top producers of Oregon wines. This is a firm wine on the palate showing some floral qualities along with burnt earth, sweet spices and dark fruits. No wimpy wine, this is a wine meant for short term aging. Flavors of dark cherries and plums leading to a long finish with well balanced tannins. Buy this for the cellar. |
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