Pinot Noir

2019 was an excellent and ripe vintage in Lower Austria.  It allowed Brundlmayer to make a very nice Pinot Noir.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has nice cherries, some cranberries and some black cherries along with a bit of spice.  Bright acidity.  Lovely texture.  Light tannins.  On the palate, cherries with slight underlying earthiness.  Good finish.  This is young and it could use three to five more years of cellaring.  It should drink for ten to twelve years after that.  It would work nicely with roasted duck or chicken.  

Tasted at the winery in August, 2022.  Disgorgement was in March, 2022.  A blend of Pinot Noir, Zweigelt and St.

This is a blend of Pinot Noir, St.

Beautiful example of a non-full throttle California Pinot Noir.  Purple at its core, ruby toward the edge as it sits in the glass.  The nose takes some time to open up and then cherries, strawberries, black cherries with some herbal notes and slight spice.  Full bodied.  On the palate, black cherries, cherries, slight cedar, and a bit of tarragon on the finish.  Great texture.  Long finish.  Intense.  This could use time or a few hours in a decanter but is drinking well with some air.  It should drink well for the next twenty years.  It would work great with roasted fowl.  

This is in a great place.  Garnet in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight sour cherries and spice.  Medium bodied with light spice.  On the palate, this is starting to show a nice complexity.  On the young size, this is getting close to maturity but has plenty of time left.  Cherries, char, sour cherries, and spice.  Nice finish.  This should drink well over the next ten to fifteen years.  A nice match to roasted chicken.

This is a solid Pinot and very reasonably priced.  Unfortunately, there does seem to be some smokiness to it. Is this related to the fires that ravaged California in 2020? Unknown.  It is a light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has smoke and some nice strawberries with a touch of cranberries.  light bodied.  The palate seems cleaner wit cherries and strawberries.  Moderate finish.  This drinks well on its own and would work well with salmon.  Drink over the next couple of years. 

This is a Pinot Noir based Rose from the Loire Valley in France.  Very refreshing at 13% abv.  Light salmon/pink/orange in color, clear and bright.  Medium bodied.  Lightly viscous.  On the palate, a bit of a sweet tart note along with some tart orange notes especially on the finish.  This wine will work better with some food to tame the acidity. A summertime watermelon and feta cheese salad would be perfect.  Drink over the next year or two.  

An interesting Pinot Noir from Potter Valley in northern California.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and some rhubarb.  Slight bubble gum note.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, nice cherry fruit.  Drinks easy.  Nice finish.  Drink over the next eight to ten years.  

This is a serious Rose made from Pinot Noir grapes in California.  Very pale orange/pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose has light strawberries and some watermelon.  A nice, slightly oily texture.  The palate has nice strawberries.  Very clean.  Refreshing.  Nice finish.  This drinks well on its own and would work well with foods.  Grilled salmon would be a nice choice.  

Goldeneye has been quietly crafting excellent pinot noir from the Anderson Valley in Mendocino County since 1996. Utilizing a blend of four different clones, the Ten Degrees has always been an exceptional wine and this vintage is no different. Beautifully balanced between acidity, fruit and oak aging, this offers black cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, a wee bit of white pepper and an even flow throughout the palate. Though aged for 16 months in French oak the fruit shine without being overly dramatic, the lush ripe flavors are very appealing. In short, this is deftly balanced.