The definitive Pinot Noir (Red Wine) thread.

[hampco]

I'll be in Bolgheri/Castegneto Carducci for two weeks next month, will report back.

Assuming that Sangiovese-based wines are ok in this thread?

And the Lan Rioja Reserva has been a happy discovery lately.

[fastupslowdown]

I discovered a new producer that makes really nice Marsannay, Charles Audoin. I particularly liked the 2012 Marsannay Favieres. Best example of Marsanay that I've come across so far. Not super-expensive either. Makes a great table/house wine. Relatively serious too.

[fastupslowdown]

None. I love me a nice Margaux, I do I do, but pinot will always be my favorite rouge.

In Bordeaux I'm all about Trotanoy. Back a few years ago I was able to get a case of his 2006 @ $99 each but its gotten more expensive lately. I got one bottle for $200 a year ago, but with the prices now much higher, I've backed off. For me Bordeaux shines for Cab Franc and Merlot. Not as much of a fan of Carbernet Sauvignon these days. My taste has changed.

[guido]

Back when I used to drink the David Bruce Pinot Noirs used to be really lovely.

[jimbo]

You had me at Pfriem.

As for wines, I drink what my wife drinks. A to Z and La Crema seem to be the two everyday pinots around our house.

To make this thread more useful for us Neanderthals, how about some price point record?

At $20-25, the two I mentioned plus the Cameron.

How about at $40-50?

At what price does it make sense to stop buying Pinot and start buying Bordeaux, Barolo etc?

$40 to $50 buys you the complexity and fruit I was describing above. The Cameron does it for half that much.
$50 bones is about my limit on a bottle of Pinot, but not because Pinot is not worth it. I'm just too cheap.

[znfdl]

You had me at Pfriem.

As for wines, I drink what my wife drinks. A to Z and La Crema seem to be the two everyday pinots around our house.

To make this thread more useful for us Neanderthals, how about some price point record?

At $20-25, the two I mentioned plus the Cameron.

How about at $40-50?

At what price does it make sense to stop buying Pinot and start buying Bordeaux, Barolo etc?

We need to get together for a Pinot based dinner.....

[PNW]

You can spend so much on Oregon Pinot...Cameron, Ayres (Brad is the winemaker and does a phenomenal job), Walter Scott..so many! Ayes Pinot for $21.49 is exceptional and his Ribbon Ridge is roughly $33-$35.

Jim, I need a case of the ribbon ridge pinot from Cameron...

[twowheels]

At the 20-25 point, jon paul at Cameron is a favorite of mine. At 40-50, ken and Erica at walter scott make phenomenal wines. If you ever get a chance, try some Thomas.

There are dozens of small Oregon producers making world class pinots and chards, you just need to get out and taste.

Its also the same with burgundies. There are great burgundies available in the 20-50 range and up. Its really a matter of tasting, finding what you like and buying a case or 3.

[PNW]

$40 to $50 buys you the complexity and fruit I was describing above. The Cameron does it for half that much.
$50 bones is about my limit on a bottle of Pinot, but not because Pinot is not worth it. I'm just too cheap.

You never need to spend more than $50 on an Oregon Pinot, that's for sure. So many Pinot's here are over priced for what they are and lack complexity as well as good acidity. I'm a huge Cab/Cab Franc/Malbec/Northern and Southern Rhine kind of guy...sometimes Bordeaux with good food but let me tell you...there is something awesome about a killer bottle of wine that is around $20 when you can find it.

[thomas]

We've been drinking some Chalk Hill pinot lately; very good bang for buck for weeknight wine. Erath estate pinots are good, along with Drouhin.

Erath and Drouhin are only a few miles apart in the Dundee Hills outside of Portland. Spent an afternoon tasting there and thought some were really great. Why does wine always taste better at the winery?

But nothing will ever compare to the two days spent wine tasting with friends in Chablis and Beaune, France. Almost all were whites, but wow, wow, wow. My wife and I both thought about leaving our S&S bikes behind and just filling the bike cases with all the wine we could fit.

[stackie]

Pinot?

Now you guys are talking.

IMHO, there are two Pinot styles. Fruity, jammy thick Pinots which typify the California style and the drier more mineral Burgundian style. I like both depending on the day or meal.

Claiborne and Churchill from Edna Valley make some nice wines in the latter style.

My personal favorite winery for Pinot is Baker and Brain. They make Pinots in both styles although even their Burgundian style is slightly more fruit forward than Claiborne and Churchill. They are in Los Osos down by SLO.
Love the Origin which is their barrel select version made only every other year. Escolle is a close second. If anyone ever visits, these are the wines I pull out most. So, if you any of you are visiting Monterey and want to drop in for a ride, coffee, and/or wine, this is your invite.

Solamente from Sonoma Coast also a fave, but in excess of $65 a bottle and then I start to move into Cabs.

Jon

[Britishbane]

Dug these two out of the basement just for this thread. They're from our honeymoon - may have to open one for our upcoming 5th anniversary.


Shout out to znfdl for the recommendations.

[Lionel]

At what price does it make sense to stop buying Pinot and start buying Bordeaux, Barolo etc?

It does not work like that a Bordeaux is not "better" than a Burgundy, they are different and with the entire price range on both sides.

[Lionel]

Dug these two out of the basement just for this thread. They're from our honeymoon - may have to open one for our upcoming 5th anniversary.


Shout out to znfdl for the recommendations.

That Gary Farrell is excellent.

[fastupslowdown]

It does not work like that a Bordeaux is not "better" than a Burgundy, they are different and with the entire price range on both sides.

Bordeaux is the ultimate expression of Cab Franc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon, Barolo the ultimate expression of Nebiolo and Burgundy ..Pinot(ignoring things like Chablis etc).
Bordeaux isn't my thing but as fan of both old school Barolo and Burgundy its a question of what I'm in the mood for. One is not better than the other. They are simply different grapes and the preparations are different.. Hope I didn't insult any California fans.

[Trevor]

A local vineyard in WNY hosts some of our club races.

I have yet to finish one of the races because I typically will attack, peel off into the parking lot and beat everybody to the sampling.

They have a great Pinot though.

[znfdl]

Dug these two out of the basement just for this thread. They're from our honeymoon - may have to open one for our upcoming 5th anniversary.


Shout out to znfdl for the recommendations.

They are probably at their peak. I would consume...... I can also be there in 3-4 hours.

[fastupslowdown]

Years ago I found a great Barbaresco a 2004 Vietti. Bought the same bottle a year ago and it was awful. Never seen a wine age so poorly unless it was just a bad bottle.

[Britishbane]

They are probably at their peak. I would consume...... I can also be there in 3-4 hours.

Come on up. The weather is gorgeous and the roads are abundant and cycling friendly.

[znfdl]

Come on up. The weather is gorgeous and the roads are abundant and cycling friendly.

Very tempting. I do hope to make it to the Philly Bike Expo.