Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is a delicate skinned grape. Finicky at best, Pinot Noir has the bay bear syndrome…. can’t be too hot or too cold, needs it juuust right. Come on an adventure down the west coast with a Willamette white Pinot Gris, Then, 2 California Pinot Noirs, only to hop over a puddle and wind up in New Zealand where they are really up-ing their Pinot Noir Game… But then we come back to the Dundee Hills for a special treat. We will see you in Humble Vine on Wednesday March,7th 4pm-8pm.
Abbey Page Pinot Gris, 2014 OR $14
An awesome value in NW Pinot Gris, this crisp, clean white is full of apple blossom and Bosch pear flavors. This wine is handmade by a high-end NW winery for a "secret" project that we unfortunately can't tell you about, but trust us, it's delicious!
Sand Point Pinot Noir, 2016 CA $14
Certified organic California wine. Subtle red jammy nose. Fresh. I get a honey palate. Soft and light well balanced. Low tannins and acidity. Delicate and delicious.
Ramsay Pinot Noir, 2013 CA $17
The nose shows classic Pinot Noir notes of raspberry and cherry, with lots of earthiness and lovely toasty oak. The mouth explodes with blueberry, Bing cherry, anise and toast. Even more striking is the depth and richness of the mouth-feel, like a rich, thick, red pillow for the mouth. The wine is very fruity, with blackberry characters and a big, rich, tarry and solid balance. The oak is refined and quite opulent in its warm characters
The Ned Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2015 NZ $22
We're still sampling in Dunedin on the Otago east coast. This 2013 seems an excellent vintage example this year from The Ned from Marlborough (Im in a Speights its the next best on the menu). I was really genuinely surprised at its maturity of style and smoothness. We'd hung back at the restaurant as it is like the Antarctic out there tonight. No wonder Dunedin has Scottish links. And I don't have a jumper with me. Ahhh. Wine anyway tastes fruit forward, has some attack but smooth. Ned, I like this vintage.
Vista Hills, Sky Raider Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills 2012 $55
Almost entirely whole cluster fermented, this reserve saw just 5% new oak; the rest was neutral. It's clean and sharp-edged, with tangy raspberry fruit. Put it away for a couple more years, and drink from 2020 on