Pinot Noir

These wines don't seem to get the respect that other Bourgogne's get and that is a shame.  This was delicious.  It is more understated, but that is not a bad thing in Burgundy.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cranberries, rhubarb, cherries and slight char.  Medium bodied.  A bit riper on the palate with cherries and slight rhubarb.  Light tannins.  Sour/tart cherries on the finish.  This works better with food than on its own.  Sweet and sour Pork would work well. 

Like any good cuvée, this blend of Pinot Noir clones 115, 667, 777, Calera and Mt. Eden showcases how a blend can exceed its individual components. A mix of fruit and earthy notes, this cuvée showcases Sonoma’s premier Pinot region, the Russian River Valley. There is subtle black cherry, red raspberry, rhubarb, cola, green tea leaf, boysenberry,  and firm tannins and an almost subversive acidity. The oak program is judicious and still allows the fruit to shine through while the oak provides some structure for the wine on the mid-palate and concentrated finish. 486 cases.

This is from a small producer in the south of burgundy.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, char and slight green/herbal notes.  Medium bodied.  Wispy tannins.  This is better on the palate with elegant cherry fruit.  Slightly complex.  Good finish.  This is a delightful Pinot Noir that drinks well on its own and is also great with food.  A nice wine for Roasted Duck.  

Though Banshee is probably better known for their still wines, they also produce a non vintage sparkler. Comprised of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier this delightful sparkling wine offers light notes of lemon lime, citrus zest, Asian pear, white peach, red delicious apple, and honeysuckle. It has a solid acidity and mild carbonation to make this fun and interesting. It was aged on the less for 24 months, and consistent to Banshee’s original mission statement, this wine definitely over delivers for the price.

Gary Farrell has always produced interesting Pinot’s – meaning, not the typical California strawberry driven kind. And this 2020 is no exception. Pulled from seven different vineyards, the art is in the blending. Upfront there is pomegranate, plum, green apple, then it turns to black tea, black raspberry, mild strawberry, dried tobacco, light cola and coriander. The acidity is solid and the tannins appropriate to the task. This is what comes from the art of the blend.

Consumed with Lunch at Restaurant Loibnerhof – Knoll in Durnstein, Austria.  Made from 100% Pinot Noir.  Pink/orange in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with with strawberries, cherries and slight cranberries.  Medium bodied.  Nice, creamy texture.  Good balance.  On the palate, cherries and cranberries.  Clean.  Dry.  Delicious with a variety of foods including a mushroom pasta with cream sauce.  Drink over the next few years.  

From the Nahe, one of Germany’s best wine growing regions, comes this delightful rosé of Pinot Noir. Known as Spätburgunder in Germany, Pinot Noir is one of the country’s top red wines. Pale copper in color this is an uncomplicated rosé that is aimed for pure enjoyment. There’s proper acidity that flows through this wine from start to finish and just a hint of sweetness. Soft fruit notes of honeydew melon, lemon and strawberry dominate with a whisper of black cherry on the finish. Light, clean and satisfying. ORIGIN: Nahe, Germany. ALCOHOL: 12%

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.