Tasting Notes for Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir 2010

Tasting Notes:

And in the interest of full-disclosure, I am a friend of Alison's (Garnet Vienyards) and work for a company that powers her website. That does not mean I blindly plug our client's wines; only the ones I feel are deserving. For anyone who likes good Pinots that have a high QPR, I'd suggest looking into some of Garnet Vineyards' offerings. Alison Crowe is a well-known winemaker, and has produced three outstanding Pinots - one from Monteray for $15, another from Carneros for $19.99, and a really exceptional single-vineyard Rogers Creek one that's only $29.99. The Carneros Pinot opens with big ripe raspberry and plum, that distinct "funk" on the nose, and mild earthy/dust/chalk tones. The flavor is balanced throughout the palate, and lingers for a relatively long time afterwards. A very food-friendly wine for sure. I have not tasted the newly released Rogers Creek one, but have tried the other two. For the money, they are hard to beat. It's rare to find a good Sonoma Pinot for less than $20, let alone one that you might qualify as "great". It's big on flavor and finish, but doesn't have the huge alcohol that some Pinots (central coast especially) have. Not that I mind those big, 15+% examples, but this one is very drinkable and flexible for pairing with food. Have I had better Pinots? Yes, I have - but not for the price.

I would serve this wine for:

Everyday dinners with friends. Pairs well with a broad range of food.

I shared this wine with:

Friends from Artesa Winery

The nose on this wine reminds me of:

Plum, raspberry, oak and apple skin

This wine would pair well with the following foods:

Anything

I think this wine is priced:

Extremely fair, great QPR

Wine Rating:

Top California Pinot Noir: Which California Wine Producers Make the Best Pinot Noir?

California has actually been making outstanding wines from the Pinot Noir grape for a long time. Sure, not long in the Burgundian sense but going back at least to the middle of the last century there were good bottles of Pinot Noir being produced in California. Not many to be sure, but there were some. Starting slowly, in the 1990’s, and then exploding when the movie Sideways came out, there are now more and more offerings of good to excellent Pinot Noir being produced in California.

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Best Oregon Pinot Noir: What Is One Oregon Pinot Noir Worth Seeking Out?

IntoWine recently asked its panel of wine experts to recommend one Oregon pinot noir worth seeking out: Oregon’s Willamette Valley sits at roughly the same latitude as Pinot Noir’s ancestral home—France’s Burgundy region. While there are significant differences between the two regions in terms of soils and topography, the fact is that both are essentially cool climate, slow ripening regions that are ideal for producing flavorful and balanced Pinot Noir. Pinots from Oregon tend to have some of the delicacy and minerality that red Burgundy is known for as well as some of the ripe red fruit most typically found in California Pinot. Their alcohol levels are generally much closer to those of France (13% or so) rather than California (typically 14-15%). Many of them also exhibit a savory aroma reminiscent of forest floor or underbrush, what the French call “sous bois.” For me the most impressive Oregon Pinot Noirs in recent tastings, with wines I rated 92 points or higher, have come from Archery Summit, Belle Pente, Domaine Drouhin, Evening Land, Rex Hill, Roco, Scott Paul and Shea Wine Cellars. The best values among these wonderful examples are the 2009 Belle Pente ($35), the 2010 Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard ($40), Scott Paul’s delicious 2010 La Paulée ($32) and Shea Wine Cellars’ 2010 Estate ($40). At an even more affordable price level, look for Coeur de Terre’s $20 2010 Pinot (89 points) and Patton Valley’s $20 2009 “Declassified” (89 points). Richard Jennings, IntoWine.com Featured Contributor and the Founder RJonWine.com.

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2010 Rhys Pinot Noir Home Vineyard, USA, California, San Mateo County, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

Current Price:

$80.00USD

This is from one of the top producers of Pinot Noir in California. Stylistically, it is more feminine in style but still packs plenty of sunshine and fruit. Deep ruby in color. The nose has cherries and candied cherries with slight spice and earthiness. On the palate, this is medium to full bodied. Nice acidity. There is some depth as it unwinds in the glass. Still drinking quite young and this will continue to improve for the next five to seven years. It should drink well over the next ten to fifteen years. Great on its own, it will work well with roasted fowl or veggies. More ce

2010 Morgan Pinot Noir Twelve Clones, USA, California, Santa Barbara, Santa Lucia, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Perhaps its a style thing, but this one was not up my alley. Maybe it just hasn't held up well or not optimally stored. Ruby in color. The nose is ok, with cherries and cherry juice. On the palate, this is sweet. Has to be some residual sugar I would think. Candied cherries. Not much depth. Not much acidity. Frankly, I couldn't wait for the finish to end. I know some people would love this wine, but I am not one of them. YMMV. Given that I just don't like this style it doesn't seem fair to score it.

2010 Sineann Pinot Noir TFL, USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

A-

Ruby in color, purple core. The nose has cherry juice. On the palate, this is a bit more elegant. Cherries and spice. Some sour cherries. Good acidity. Long finish. Good match with food.

Tasting Notes for Garnet Vineyards Pinot Noir 2010

Food and Wine Pairing Tool

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2010 Rhys Pinot Noir Home Vineyard, USA, California, San Mateo County, Wine Review

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