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Any pinot noir recommendations?

71.141.73.14
Posted on September 2, 2011 at 15:04:52
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 28824
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 28, 2003
 ...lately with the warm summer weather I've been drinking more pinots than zins.

Last night we stopped at a wine tasting bar on the way to dinner.

I had a 2010 Willamette Valley pinot - very nice, a little light and fruity. Excellent for sipping.

I joked with my wife about mixing this one with a bottle of the 2007 Gloria Ferrar pinot I mentioned above (Parker 94) since there is very little fruit, to make a superb, more balanced pinot. I may try it.

Then at dinner I had a glass of 2009 Testarosa pinot. Excellent balance of fruit, body, tannins and alcohol. Great with food.

Any you've tried lately you can recommend?

 

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The last standout Pinot, posted on September 2, 2011 at 21:40:35
mchad
Audiophile

Posts: 36
Location: Rocky Mountains
Joined: November 29, 2010
 we tasted over the July 4th weekend was the 2007 Saintsbury Lee Vineyard. In Feb I purchased three bottles at $25/per and after tasting it realized I was a complete dumbass for not buying a case. I still have two and they're going to be treasured. Unfortunately, it looks like this gem can't be had for that same $25 anymore:

http://www.wine-searcher.com/find/saintsbury+lee+vinyard/2007/usa

Another had that same night was the Laetitia 2004 Pinot. A good friend of ours' cousin was involved in this winery before the fairly recent sale of it, and the 2004 is quite good...not as good as the Saintsbury but still a fine wine indeed. I understand the new Laetitia is not the same as the old Laetitia but I've not tried the newer so can't say for myself.

Of course, there's always the nice Costco deal for a house Pinot in the Castle Rock Pinot. Then there is Cambria Julia's Vineyard, any of the Morgan single vineyards, La Crema, I recall some standout Sanford's, etc. I personally would like more exposure to the Willamette Pinot's but alas many are well outside of my price range.

I love Pinot Noir as there always seems to be a weight that goes with anything.

Mike

 

RE: Any pinot noir recommendations?, posted on September 3, 2011 at 08:37:09
triodesteve
Audiophile

Posts: 466
Location: Walla Walla Washington
Joined: September 4, 2001
 I've been enjoying everything from St. Innocent (very Burgundian style). In your neck of the woods, Rivers-Marie (probably hard to find in a shop). Not dirt cheap, but I think a very good value.
also had a Christolm recently...probably not cheap though.

At lower price points from Oregon, I'd look for Wines by Joe, A to Z, and Argyle.

 

I tried one from Costco last night..., posted on September 3, 2011 at 10:12:51
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 28824
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 28, 2003
 ...Stemmler 2008 Carneros Estate at under $20.

It wasn't very good.

The 2007 was much better.

Another I picked up there was the Siduri 2009 Sonoma Coast Sonatera around $20 - not one of their best efforts, but ok.

 

A few I've enjoyed recently, posted on September 5, 2011 at 06:39:30
rlindsa
Audiophile

Posts: 6487
Location: Fort Lauderdale
Joined: October 5, 2004
 I'm not a pinot expert (actually I"m not an ANYTHING expert, but I tend to drink more cabernets than pinots), but for some reason I've had some very enjoyable pinots lately. I suspect I like them better than other pinots I've had, as these are a bit bolder and less fruit-forward:

Suter Vineyard, 2007 Muirwood Reserve (Arroyo Seco)- about $20
Etude Wines 2007 (Napa) - About $30-35
Robert Mondavi 2009 Private Selection don't know price - it was gift


rlindsa

 

Etude is always a good one..., posted on September 5, 2011 at 09:37:20
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 28824
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 28, 2003
 ...last year when we were touring around the Willamette Valley in Oregon, we kept hearing about one of the wineries when we'd ask where we should go to taste.

"They just hired the winemaker from Etude" was their claim to fame.

 

Speaking of Etude..., posted on September 12, 2011 at 20:48:12
mkuller
Audiophile

Posts: 28824
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: April 22, 2003
Contributor
  Since: December 28, 2003
 ...last week the local wine shop recommended the 2008 Etude which they got a deal on and were selling for $29.95.

I bought a bottle and tried it.

It was nice, pretty balanced, probably better with food, but it lacked that sparkling berryish fruit in the middle I like so much in a good pinot noir.

 

Block Nine ..., posted on October 15, 2011 at 10:36:18
reelsmith.
Audiophile

Posts: 7065
Location: CT
Joined: June 7, 2005
Contributor
  Since: January 19, 2010
 ...is an outstanding value at about $12.

Dean.




reelsmith's axiom: Its going to be used equipment when I sell it, so it may as well be used equipment when I buy it.


 

RE: Any pinot noir recommendations?, posted on December 6, 2011 at 12:04:56
calloway
Audiophile

Posts: 495
Joined: February 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: August 31, 2000
 ...'Frank's Family' ..napa valley..it's great..~ $ 30 / bottle

 

Siduri, posted on December 7, 2011 at 10:21:22
jimbill
Audiophile

Posts: 1680
Location: Texas
Joined: May 31, 2004
 Got my shipment of Siduri in. Pleased so far.

Not so much with Roessler.

 

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