fogdog 2008 Pinot Noir: Review

Sonoma Coast

Freestone Vineyards

Freestone, California, USA

13.5% abv

$45.00 from Mitchell’s Seafood Restaurant

Appearance: deep garnet body with ruby edge.  With the darker body this Pinot should have some body weight.

Aroma: berry bowl mix, wild berries and blueberries, little floral, touch of dry green spice with a hint of bay leaf. 

Flavors: berry bowl mix, just take your pick … red current, black raspberry, cranberry, blueberry, cherry, black berry; splash of coffee, pinch of earth, duo tone of wood – oak upfront and cedar spice on the finish

Mouthfeel: tart cherry and cranberry, slight coffee bitterness, so the acidity is at work without dominating, don’t let the ‘tart’ and ‘bitter’ words scare you here for the mouthfeel is suave like, firm body that reminds me of a pair of knee high boots and skin tight jeans, little alcohol warmth and spice on the finish, the flavors linger for a short time on the palate.

My Strength Rating: 6 – medium-full (see my strength rating scale in the right margin)

To the Point: this Pinot has some character; it’s not your smooth supple Pinot, firm and compact comes to mind while tasting this Pinot; looking for a bolder Pinot – this is the one – not big time bold but it sure has some style.  Dinner at Mitchell’s I had Ginger Salmon.  Back home in my lounge I paired it with a CAO Black Cigar and finished off the bottle.  

De Loach Pinot Noir 2009

DeLoachVineyards.com

Central Coast

Santa Rosa, California, USA

13.5% abv

Cost: $30 from a restaurant; I would guess around $15 retail

Appearance: rich ruby body with a lighter crystal ruby edge

Nose: red berries, light spice, touch of wood

Flavors: mild notes of strawberry, sweet cherry, red currant, pomegranate, light dry herbal leafy earthiness

Mouthfeel: smooth, delicate, supple, gentle red berries linger on the palate, mild in body

My Strength Rating: 2

To the Point: a tasty light bodied inexpensive Pinot; pair with salads, veal, white fish maybe sea bass or how a swordfish.  

St. Innocent Pinot Noir 2009: Review

St. Innocent Winery

Salem, Oregon, USA

Temperance Hill Vineyard

Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA

Stinnocentwine.com

$55.00 from a restaurant

Wine aged in  26% new French oak barrels for 16 months. 

Appearance: good looking dark cherry with reddish highlights.

Aroma: this is fruity, sweet cherry, red raspberry

Flavors: this is a juicy fruit Pinot Noir, lots of fresh red berries like red raspberry, a hint of strawberry and touch of red currant, throw in a nice dose of sweet dark cherry and a touch of vanilla along with a silky smooth mouthfeel. 

Mouthfeel: the acidity is low, there is a mineral like quality, silky smooth texture, a touch of oak on the finish and aftertaste, mostly red berry like aftertaste, along the way I get a hint here and there of a light spice box.    

To the Point: While it has a very nice red berry taste it just seems to lack depth, character, and complexity.  Have this with lighter fare.  Their web site says this vintage can be aged for eight years.  

Meiomi Pinot Noir 2008 Belle Glos: Review

The grapes to make this Pinot came from three different vineyards Sonoma County 65%, Monterey County 20%, and Santa Barbara County 15%.  It is said that the Santa Barbara grapes add to the spice-filled aromas; Sonoma adds to the bright berry flavors; and Monterey has the rich texture to give it some substance. 

13.9% abv – why not 14 – I feel cheated

Belle Glos Wines

Rutherford, California, USA

Meiomiwines.com

My Strength Rating: 3 – truly velvety smooth

Appearance: a rich ruby color

Aroma: red fruits, reminds me of the red raspberries I had for breakfast this morning. Overall, a pleasing aroma to this wine.    

Flavors: If you want to know what the term ‘fruit forward’ means – try this wine, for it is fruit forward.  Notes of; sweet strawberry, red currant, tasty raspberry to name a few.  

Mouthfeel: I really like the mouthfeel of this wine.  Creamy was my first word that came to mind.  Then, velvety smooth came to mind.  The mouthfeel on this Pinot Noir is a great experience. 

Here are the wine notes from their web site – I can’t wait to see how I did.

“Deep garnet color. Luxurious and dynamic aromas of ripe strawberry, bright cherry and faint notes of spicy oak and vanilla. The complexity of the palate smoothly layers rich red currant notes and baking spice flavors with light smoke, earth and leather. A balanced, velvety texture and supple tannins carry the wine through to a lingering, succulent finish.”

They call it deep garnet and I think it is a medium ruby at best