Pinot Noir

One of the things that distinguishes Oregon Pinot Noir from much of California is there is an earthiness that California does not possess. This 2020 certainly offers bright and expressive Pinot fruit – strawberry, Bing cherry, red raspberry, along with pomegranate and cola notes, but also an earthiness similar to mild mushroom. The acidity is in check, the fruit and oak nicely balanced, and you’re left with a solid wine that reflects its place of origin.

Comprised of an intelligent collection of different clones including Martini, Dijon and Pommard, this beautifully showcases this winery off Highway 101 in San Luis Obispo County. Originally known for their sparkling wines, Laetitia is also quite adept at still wines. Earthy and savory, this reserve opens up with lithe notes of black cherry, plum, pomegranate, Bing cherry and back notes of mushroom, cedar, tea leaf and plantain.

This is a blend of Glera and Pinot Noir grapes.  Salmon pink in color.  Frothy with a variety of sized bubbles.  The nose has strawberries and slight apple notes.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is nice acidity.  Slightly sweet.  Cherries and strawberries.  A lingering finish.  An enjoyable Prosecco with some depth as well.  Very nice on its own, this should work well with food.  It would go nicely with roasted turkey or duck.  Drink over the next couple of years.  

This is a 50/50 blend of Zweigelt and Pinot Noir.  Pale, silvery/salmon pink in color, clear and bright.  The nose is tight with some watermelons.  Moderate acidity. On the palate, watermelon and slight strawberry notes.  Clean.  Some heat on the finish.  A fine wine to sip with lunch or on the deck.  It will work well with  lighter foods.  Chicken salad would work well.  

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.