2009 Felton Road Pinot Noir Cornish Point, New Zealand, Central Otago, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
89
Grade: 
B+

Screw capped.  Ruby in color, but a bit flat.  There is a fair amount of volatile acidity on the nose.  Also some sour cherries.  Nice texture with light tannins.  On the palate, tart cherries.  A lot of acidity.  Long finish.  This probably would benefit from a bit of a decant as the VA did slightly blow off.  There is a nice complexity here.  It should have another seven to ten years left or maybe more.  It will pair well with roasted fowl.  

2016 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir, USA, Oregon, Dundee Hills, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$40.00USD

This is from the famed Burgundy producer's Oregon outpost.  This seems to be more full throttle than prior vintages but will no doubt calm down with some age.  Deep ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has fresh cherries, black cherries and slight pomegranate.  There is also a bit of spice and a hint of tea.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, this has a lot of cherries, some black cherries with a hint of underlying forest floor.  Delicious.  Light tannins.  This needs another three to five years to get closer to peak, and should drink well for ten to fifteen more after tha

2019 Domaine Jean Bousquet Pinot Noir Reserve, Argentina, Uco Valley, Tupungato, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$15.00USD

From Argentina.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, sour cherries and a bit of char.  With air a cherry candy note emerges.  On the palate, this has a lot of tannins (most unusual for a Pinot Noir).  Plenty of cherry fruit with some tarragon.  A bitter cherry note on the finish.  This is a unique take on Pinot most likely due to the soils but also the high altitude of the vineyards.  It should drink well for another five to seven years.  This will go well with Salmon or Tuna steaks off the grill.  

2018 Jax Vineyards Pinot Noir Y3, USA, California, Sonoma, Russian River Valley, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+
Current Price: 
$25.00USD

This is very nice but curiously seemed a bit behind the two prior vintages of this wine.  Perhaps a bit shutdown.  Still, it was very good. Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, slight smoke and an herbal streak (rosemary/tarragon?).  Medium bodied.  On the palate, there is nice cherry fruit, a bit stemmy with an underlying damp earthiness.  Moderate finish.  This will work better with food.  Pasta with mushrooms would be a nice choice.  It will be interesting to watch it develop Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2009 Rhys Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$55.00USD

This is the base Pinot from Rhys.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight black cherries, and slight sour cherries.  Medium bodied.  Some depth and complexity.  Still youthful.  On the palate, sour cherries and cherries  with slight char and spice.  Nice finish.  This is chugging along nicely.  It won't get better but should mature and continue to drink well for another ten to twelve years.  It drinks well on its own but will work better food.  Roasted chicken or duck is a nice choice.  

2019 United Ink Pinot Noir, USA, Oregon, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2019
Score: 
86
Grade: 
B
Current Price: 
$22.00USD

This is a 100% Pinot Noir from Oregon.  Lightly colored ruby, clear and bright.  The nose has a friendly cherry candy quality.  Light to medium bodied. On  the palate, cherries, and tart red berries with a slightly bitter note on the finish.  Light tannins.  This is an easy drinking Pinot Noir that would be a nice choice for parties.  Drink on its own or with lighter foods over the next few years.  

2018 Gehricke Pinot Noir, USA, California, Sonoma Coast, Wine review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$35.00USD

This is a nice Pinot Noir from the Sonoma Coast.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries and some strawberries.  On the palate, this is a lighter, more elegant styled Pinot.  Nice cherry fruit with a touch of pomegranate.  Dry.  It finishes with tart cherries which wake up the palate.  This drinks well on its own and would work well with roasted (or fried) chicken.  Drink over the next five to seven years.  

2020 Gehricke Rosé Los Carneros, USA, California, Sonoma, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2020
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$29.00USD

At a recent Intowine.com tasting, this proved to be quite popular especially among those who drank a lot of Rosé.  This is made from 100% Pinot Noir.  Pink/orange/amber in color, clear and bright.  The nose has watermelon, cherries and slight chervil notes.  Slightly viscous.  Dry with good acidity.  On the palate, cherries, boysenberries and slight citrus notes.  Clean and long finish.  More understated but delicious.  This drinks great on its own and will work well with all but the heaviest foods, especially on a hot day.  Drink over the next year or two.  

2016 Halcon Vineyards Pinot Noir Oppenlander Vineyard, USA, California, Mendocino, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2016
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$34.00USD

Nice to revisit this again.  It has done nicely in the last couple of years.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose has black cherries and sour cherries with a bit of earthiness.  Wonderful texture.  On the palate, lots of cherries and black cherries and some sour cherries.  This still has a bit more maturing until peak.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  Nice on its own, this would work well with roasted chicken.  

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