Arctutos 2008 Pinot Noir: Review

Old Mission Peninsula

Black Star Farms

Suttons Bay, Michigan, USA

12% abv

$27.00 a bottle from Hiller’s

Blackstarfarms.com

Did this review before I left for Traverse City.

I don’t like to get wine from a grocery store but, I had to pick this one up to give it a try.  Most grocery stores have wines sitting on shelves (up-right) with lights blasting right on the bottles (adds warmth).  If turnover is quick it should not be a big deal.  If not; the warmth ages the wine and the cork goes dry and you may end up with a corked bottle after you store it properly.

Appearance: light semi-transparent ruby-amber color with a clear crystal edge on the rim. 

Aroma: spicy on the nose with tart fruit

Flavors: the tart and spicy profile is on the palate as well.  Tart sour cherry and cranberry.  The spice reminds me of pink and white peppercorn, a little sweet (pink) peppery note and a little mustiness (white). Then there seems to be a ginger and oak taste on the back of the palate. 

Mouthfeel: medium body coming from the spice profile and tart bite.  Plenty of spice playing on the palate.  A little empty after the short aftertaste. 

My Strength Rating: 4.5 – medium. 

To the Point: Blind tasting this wine I would not guess Pinot Noir.  A Syrah or Franc or some kind of blend.  I can think of two Cab Franc’s that I had last winter that were nice and spicy.  For a Pinot it is just okay.  As a wine – I like the spicy style of this wine.  I just don’t think I like it overall.  I just have a problem with the appearance, the overall taste and the $27 price tag.

Hopefully, I can sample this when I get to their winery to see if it was just this bottle.

(They did not have this one for sampling – and I was not going to spend 27 to see if it was any better)