Pinot Noir Report - August 2009

I am passionate about Pinot Noir. I really believe that the grape is among the most difficult to grow, and that, when successful, the result is some of the world's finest and most interesting and beautiful wines. No other grape is as good a vehicle for conveying terroir -- which is a fancy way of saying that no other grape has a better sense of place. Good Pinot Noir always takes me to its origins. It doesn't hurt that the wines are also just plain tasty, and that they are usually a good food match with just about anything.

This month's Report focuses on Pinot Noir from the 2007 vintage in California. James Laube of Wine Spectator says that 2007 offers "the greatest assortment of outstanding wines in the 25 years I've been tasting and writing about Golden State Pinot." What is interesting to me is how California Pinot Noir has developed its own style, distinctive from the earthy, layered wines of Burgundy, and the softer, spicy Pinot Noirs from Oregon. In fact, one could argue that what makes California Pinot Noir great is its consistency, purity of fruit, and sheer number of high quality producers. While Pinot Noir from Burgundy may be the ultimate expression of terroir, rarely presenting the same experience from bottle to bottle or even glass to glass, California Pinot is fast becoming the ultimate in easy-to-enjoy, seductive wine. I do not believe that California Pinot Noir is quite as good a match for food as many red Burgundy wines, but it is hard to argue that tastier Pinot Noir is being made anywhere else. These are wines made for drinking enjoyment.

The selectons below represent some of the best from 2007, when great weather and lower yields generally produced wines with both ripe fruit and complex aromas and flavors. As with all of our wines, each was chosen for its combinaton of quality and value, and some are extremely limited in production. They are all very good representatives of their regions and vineyards.

All wines in our store are 15% off of any 6 or more mix-and-match bottles. Call, Email or stop by our store for a mixed case!

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Sojourn Pinot Noir Gap's Crown Vineyard 2007

Extremely Limited. Beautifully crafted, ripe and juicy, with richly flavored blackberry and wild berry, sweet cherry, floral, anise and subtle herbal sage touches that are full-bodied, complex and long on the finish. (Wine Spectator, 95 pts.)

$57.00 Bottle
$48.45 15% off 6 or more

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DuMOL Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007

A seductive, luscious Pinot Noir, exhibiting sweet plum and black cherry notes intermixed with cloves and spice. The wine is rich, fresh, medium to full-bodied, and long. Made from Dijon clones and old California heritage clones. (Wine Advocate, 90-93 pts.)

$77.49 Bottle
$65.87 15% off 6 or more

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Red Car Pinot Noir 'Trolley' Sonoma Coast 2007

Extremely Limited. Focused on a core of black cherry and blackberry fruit that's medium-to-full bodied, complex and spicy. Smooth-textured, with a long finish. (Wine Spectator, 94 pts.)

$48.99 Bottle
$41.64 15% off 6 or more

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Red Car Pinot Noir 'The Aphorist' Bartolomei Vineyard 2007

Very Limited. Loamy earth, blackberry and wild berry fruit is delicate and caressing, smooth and polished. Full-bodied, this ends with a spicy cola and sassafras edge. Only 300 cases made. (Pinot Report, 95 pts.)

$54.99 Bottle
$46.74 15% off 6 or more

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Black Kite Pinot Noir 'Kite's Rest' 2007

Black Kite is one of our favorite Pinot Noir discoveries from the past year. This is full-bodied, with tiers of black cherry, wild berry, plum and spice. Picks up a spicy, minerally edge and gains body on the finish, where the fruit is pure and fleshy. (Wine Enthusiast, 94 pts.)

 

$45.00 Bottle
$38.25 15% off 6 or more

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Holdredge Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2007

Very Limited.  This family-run Estate is making some beautiful small-production wines, and this is no exception. The fragrant rose petal, wild berry, and spice notes are elegant and delicate. Well-structured, this will be appealing to those who like wines with restraint.  Only 200 cases produced.

$34.99 Bottle
$29.74 15% off 6 or more

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Roessler Pinor Noir Sonoma County Red Label 2007

A Wine Spectator 'Top Value'. Rich and layered, with loamy earth, black cherry and wild berry fruit that's supple, full-bodied, creamy and long, with fleshy tannins. (Wine Spectator, 92 pts.)

$29.99 Bottle
$25.49 15% off 6 or more

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Paraiso Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands 2007

A Wine Spectator 'Top Value'. Serves up a trim, flavorful band of ripe cherry, wild berry and strawberry jam that's elegantly styled and well-structured, finishing with a long, complex finish echoing anise and mineral. (Wine Spectator, 92 pts.)

$22.99 Bottle
$19.54 15% off 6 or more