Cherry Pie 2021 Pinot Noir, Toro Hills

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

Any vineyard facing San Pablo Bay, like Toro Hills, is buffeted by wind and fog coming off the water. Typically fruit grown here is more fully developed. This Toro Hills Pinot has that depth of flavor, less bright strawberry notes and more raspberry, huckleberry, blueberry and blackberry with soft black cherry, spring wildflowers, and a slight earthiness. The acidity is spot on allowing for expressiveness with food while the mild barrel aging (10 months in barrel with just 30% new French oak) allows for a balanced approach and fruit over wood. ORIGIN: Sonoma County. ALCOHOL: 14.9%

2020 Calera Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir, Reed Vineyard

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

Calera has farmed their separate but distinctive vineyards since 1973. Limestone rich soil, high elevation, native yeast and whole cluster pressed are just some of the attributes of Calera’s program. These work together year after year to produce stellar wines. The Reed Vineyard fruit has more of an earthy quality to it. There are darker notes of black cherry, blackberry, huckleberry, raspberry and faint herbs The acidity is mild as are the tannins, yet it drinks very well, and cries out for food to help show off the fruit.

2021 Domaine Bousquet Pinot Noir Reserve, Argentina, Mendoza, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$18.00USD

I thought this was a step or two better than the 2019.  Either way, both are very nice values in Pinot Noir.  Very light ruby in color, clear and bright.  As an aside, I love Pinots that look so watery and wimpy and then, Boom.  Delicious.  The nose has cherries, slight cinnamon, Chervil.  Medium to full bodied.  Nice texture.  Light tannins.  On the palate, tart cherries and slight rhubarb.  This is still quite tight and just starting to open after 5 hours.  It could use a few years of cellaring or a six hour decant.  Drink over the next seven to ten years (probably more).  Nice on its own

2010 Comte Armand Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Rouge, France, Burgundy, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is a very nice premier cru Burgundy.  Garnet in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight cinnamon, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Very light tannins.  On the palate, cherries, slight sour cherries with a bit of spice.  Nice finish.  Drinking well now and should continue for another seven to ten years.  Nice on its own but probably better with food.  Salmon would be a nice choice.

2021 Gentleman Farmer Wines Rosé, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2021
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$37.00USD

A very interesting wine.  It is 90% Pinot Noir, 7% Merlot, and 3% Pinot Meunier.  The website indicates that the fruit is Sonoma Coast, but the bottle is devoid of info except carrying a California designation.  Deep light ruby/orange in color, clear and bright.  Very pretty.  The nose is intense with rhubarb, apples and watermelon.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, watermelon, raspberries and cherries.  Long finish.  A very satisfying Rose that should be quite food friendly with everything from Salmon to a steak.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

2020 Sineann Pinot Noir Yates Conwill Vineyard, USA, Oregon, Yamhill-Carlton, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Another in a line of Excellent Pinot Noirs from this producer.  Stylistically, these tend to be big for Oregon, but would be on the smaller size for California (if that make sense).  Garnet in color with some purple hues, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries, hay and slight earthiness.  Light tannins.  Great balance.  On the palate, lots of sour cherries with some cherries with underlying char and a hint of earthiness.  Long finish.  This is, of course, very young but already drinking well.  It would be better to cellar for ten years, and then drink over the next f

2007 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Goldridge Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

The label lists this as 33 year old vines.  Great showing.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with black cherries, slight cola, cherries, spice and slight earthiness.  Wonderful round texture.  Tannins resolved.  On the palate, this seems to be at peak.  Black cherries with slight cherries and a bit of spice.  No signs of age but certainly mature.  Drink over the next seven to ten years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with roasted chicken.  

1994 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Goldridge Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
1994
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

The label proclaims the grapes were from 20 year old vines.  What a treat to taste this at age 29.  Drinking beautifully.  Ruby color, clear and bright.  Just the barest tinge or browning.  The nose is great with cherries, slight rhubarb, slight cola, dust and spice.  Medium bodied.  This is mature but if it is past, it hides it very well.  Impressive.  The palate has cherries, rhubarb and an underlying earthiness.  Complex.  Nice finish.  This seems like it would still have life left but given bottle variation with older wines, be prudent.  Nice on its own or with food.  This deserves a ni

2013 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Jamie Kutch makes some of the best values in top quality (expensive) Pinot Noir.  Purple/ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is good with cherries, char and spice.  Medium to full bodied.  Tannins seems fully integrated.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries and just a bit of char.  Good balance.  Long finish with a slight green herbal note.  Delicious. This is still young but closing in on maturity.  Drink over the next ten to fifteen years.  Great on its own, this will work well with fowl or pork.  It would also go great with Vietnamese food.  

2014 Littorai Pinot Noir The Pivot Vineyard, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

The definition of a feminine Pinot Noir.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is beautiful with cherries, slight strawberry, char and earthiness.  Medium bodied.  Light tannins.  On the palate, this is complex and layered.  Almost delicate but too persistent.  Cherries, slight black cherries, with spice and forest floor.  Long finish.  This is near maturity but may have a bit more to go.  it should drink well for another eight to twelve years.  Nice on its own, probably better with food.  Pan Roasted duck with wild mushrooms would be perfect.  

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