Pinot Noir – Page 2

Buena Vista Pinot Noir 2006

05/06/201006/07/2015 Vera C.

Winemaker: Jeff Stewart
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Carneros, California

See other wines from this producer:
Buena Vista Syrah

Founded in 1857, Buena Vista Carneros is California’s oldest premium winery. One of California’s firsts is now one of California’s finest wineries. Set along the south-facing hillside overlooking San Pablo Bay, Buena Vista’s beautiful property is one of the most significant in Carneros.

Daily winds and fogs coming from the bay cool the vines and prolong the growing season. Nearly 500 acres in the region of Carneros, Buena Vista Carneros’ Ramal Vineyard boasts a remarkable number and range of sites with more than 100 separate vineyard blocks based on topography, geology and microclimates.

Jeff Stewart, Buena Vista’s winemaker came from award winning winery La Crema, with over 15 years of achievement in cool–climate viticulture, gaining his experience in different wineries. His personal attention to detailed work in the vineyard and during the whole wine-making process allows the wine to express unique Carneros terroir and typical assets of sensitive Pinot Noir grape.

The vineyards were carefully replanted started 2003 into unusually small blocs (some just 2 acres) to allow their 25 different clones of Pinot Noir to properly express itself. Harvested by hand, at night to keep the wine cool, into small ventilated harvest boxes, preventing grapes from crushing. Grapes are transported to winery immediately and the clusters/berries are sorted twice and de-stemmed by hand. After gentle crushing the skins are left with the juice for several days for cold soaking before fermentation.

This will give the winemaker more precise control over the extraction of flavor, color and tannins. After fermentation in stainless steel open tanks the wine goes into fine French and American oak for aging. Second malolactic fermentation takes place in oak to reduce harsh acidity and gives wine silky, velvety tannins. The wine typically ages 10 months in oak.

Tasting notes:
Lovely aroma of dark fruit and cherries. On the palate, rich and very pleasant ripe fruit expression with good complexity and balanced acidity. Soft tannins with hint of vanilla and spices. Long, satisfying finish. Approachable now, but it will improve even more with few more years in the bottle.

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 30.00

Ideal food pairing:
Grilled salmon, Italian cuisine, spicy pork chops with peppers, mild cheeses

California, Pinot Noir, Red wine

A by Acacia Pinot Noir 2008

04/22/201006/07/2015 Vera C.

Winemaker: Matthew Glynn
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Carneros, Sonoma, Monterey, California

See other wines from this producer:
Acacia Chardonnay Carneros
Acacia Pinot Noir Carneros

Even though Acacia Vineyards has almost 30 years of expertise in producing world class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the A by Acacia project came just a few years ago. California is so diverse and its geography allows for a variety of wine flavors and styles.

The team of Acacia winemakers decided to take advantage of that and search for the best and most representative Pinot Noir regions around the state. The Monterey produce a perfume of flowers and minerality, while Sonoma County provides bright cherry flavors and Carneros adds a touch of classic spiciness.

The result is this rich, ruby wine that carries essence of all three terroires.
Wine that is made by Acacia’s standards but it more affordable then their single vineyard Pinot Noir. Matthew, who is an assistant winemaker for Acacia Estate wines, is now in charge of the A by Acacia wines. Under this label, the winery only makes Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Tasting notes:
The wine has an aroma of violets, spices and black cherry. When you leave it in your mouth it opens up with dark fruits flavors – plum, black cherry with a hint of spices.

Fine tannins from combination of barrels Acacia’s vinemakers use for aging their wines, giver this Pinot Noir a lovely long finish. Unlike their single vineyard Acacia Pinot Noir, this wine has about 2-3 years aging potential, so open and drink up now.

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 18.00

Ideal food pairing:

grilled salmon, Crispy tilapia with Mexican risotto , wild mushroom risotto, roasted chicken, braised lamb, and more

California, Pinot Noir, Red wine, Russian River

Picket fence Pinot Noir 2006

04/22/201006/07/2015 Vera C.

Winemaker: Don Van Staaveren
Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Russion River Valley, California

See other wines from this producer:
Picket Fence Chardonnay

Russion River Valley in Green Valley vineyard has consistent warm days and cool evenings creating the ideal climate for growing Burgundian varietals.

The Pinot Noir grapes are hand harvested at night, which helps retain the freshness and acidity so crucial to well balanced Pinot Noir.

Grapes are then sorted, gently pressed and the juice fermented in small, open-top tanks. Wine ages in 50% new French oak to give wine warmth and richness.

Tasting notes:
Picket fence Pinot Noir has an elegant, fruit forward style with great intensity, spice and richness of cherry fruit. On the palate you taste a rich fruit complemented with velvety texture – a great example of Russian River Pinot Noir.

Dry – Off dry – Medium sweet – Sweet
Light – Medium – Full body
No oak – Aged in oak
Retail price: under $ 25.00
Sustainable farmed

Ideal food pairing:
Italian cuisine, grilled salmon, Vegetable lentils, Veal dishes, Vermicelli Con Melanzane, My best Ratatouille recipe and more

France, Great wines under $10, Pinot Noir, Red wine

Hob Nob Pinot Noir 2007

04/22/201006/07/2015 Vera C.

Grape: Pinot Noir
Region: France

When I first saw this label, I thought it was very commercial and attractive – and in fact, it became an instant success on the market. I also heard some “serious” wine drinkers looking at it with disrespect, thinking – oh, nice label = so-so wine.

Well, they were there for a surprise and so was I. Big mistake, to be prejudiced like that. In fact, this wine totally surprised me (in the most positive way), even more when tasted against others, much more expensive wines of its variety.

Hob Nob is joined project and the fruit is sourced from a different small growers in Burgundy, France. The quality of the wine is in the bottle, and without the DOC (district of origin) it’s made more affordable, Well made wine for every day drinking.

Tasting notes:
Strong aromas of cherries and dark berries, nice ruby color. Rich fruit on the palate (the longer you let it “breath”, the better). Very fruity , yet pleasantly balanced with acidity and therefore good match to different foods. Little more body in wine that I would consider a typical for Pinot Noir, but lovely Pinot Noir characteristics. Very solid, pleasant every day wine that wouldn’t brake the bank.