pinotopia august 2008
- » 2005 Dutton Estate Russian River Jewell Block Vineyard $43
- » 2005 Handley Anderson Valley Pinot Noir $26
- » 2000 Roger Champault Sancerre Cote de Champtin $NA
- » 2005 Labyrinth Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard $29
- » 2005 Van Duzer Estate Pinot Noir $30
- » 2005 Bouchard Aine & Fils Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Peuillets 1er $33
- » 2003 Maillard Pere & Fils Beaune $NA
2005 Dutton Estate Russian River Jewell Block Vineyard $43
26 August 2008
A beautiful pinot with fruit for days. It took a good hour for this Cali red to start showing and so worth the wait. Strawberry and orange zest on the nose following through to the palate. Broad and delicious pinot fruit with soft tannins with a long finish. Nice but not real nice but then again I like the lower alcohol pinots. 14.2% alcohol. J.W.
2005 Handley Anderson Valley Pinot Noir $26
22 August 2008
Big pinot with massive fruit. Black raspberry and cherry with clove and a long candy-like finish. One of my fellow wine geeks said it tastes like fruit rollups. I think it's out of balance and a little overdone. 14.5% alcohol. May need some time to settle down. J.W.
2000 Roger Champault Sancerre Cote de Champtin $NA
21 August 2008
This was my first time trying a pinot noir from Sancerre and I was pleasantly suprised. Slightly oxidized and earthy with lots of mineral and baking spices. Dried bing cherries and underbrush with a touch of strawberries on the finish. Nice and meaty for 12.5% alcohol. Had a crazy PVC plastic taste for a little bit but went away. Very interesting wine. I dont think I could get this one again but if I could I would buy more. J.W.
2005 Labyrinth Santa Maria Valley Bien Nacido Vineyard $29
19 August 2008
Super fine and elegant pinot from the famous Bien Nacido Vineyard in Santa Barbara County. This pinot was only 29 dollars and I would say an outstanding bargain. It exudes class and elegance but still has power. Flavors of plum, strawberry and cherry with notes of cinnamon and a long polished finish. Fruity and spicy. I had it with chicken fried pork and mashed potatoes. I'm buying again to keep a few years. J.W.
2005 Van Duzer Estate Pinot Noir $30
4 August 2008
A great full flavored, garnet colored, mouth filling pinot from the Willamette Valley. Black fruits and underbrush on the nose - kinda smells like morning dew - with black raspberry and cherry flavors on the palate. Medium finish. The tannins seem to have a savory, salty quality like most Oregon pinots I've tasted. Not very exciting overall. J.W.
2005 Bouchard Aine & Fils Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Peuillets 1er $33
3 August 2008
Not the best Savigny I've had to date but the nose is really nice. This is an example of a burgundy with interesting aromatics and a disapointing palate. Bing cherry, damp earth and various spices on the nose with black cherry and bitter tannins that mask any flavor in the mouth. I'm keeping another bottle to see how it shows in five years or so. J.W.
2003 Maillard Pere & Fils Beaune $NA
1 August 2008
I shared this bottle after work with my good friend and fellow associate Njekwa, whom I work with at a wine and bistro. Black raspberry and cherry fruit with intense spicy clove aromatics on the nose following through in the mouth. Medium length with tannins that permeate gently though the rich pinot fruit flavors. A little touch of anise and black truffle too perhaps. I would love to buy agian a hold for four or five more years. J.W.
