The definitive Pinot Noir (Red Wine) thread.

[jimbo]

It all started for me on a bike ride. I rode to Dion Vineyards and talked to the owner (as well as Helioterra) and they got me excited to try the wine from the grapes I was holding in my hand. I'm lucky enough to live in western Oregon; a short bike ride from World Class Pinot Noir and lots of it.

I've traditionally been a Beer lover. Ask Fletcher I can sit in Dbl Mtn or PFriem all day and swill with the best of them. There is something about the connection I have though with being at the vineyards; seeing the vines and the sustainability that is what's in my backyard that has me experimenting with more and more locally grown Pinot Noir. I've drank a ton of what's available in my area, and I've learned a few things that hold true; Dundee Hills AVA is serious deliciousness. As is, Ribbon Ridge and Chehalem AVA's. Terroir (soil) is the thing and elevation is key; give me one of those AVA's and about 650' and were talking blow your mind good.

I've had some really good (expensive) bottles, and some really good inexpensive bottles, price does not always dictate quality and everybody's palette is different. I have tasted some locally grown Oregon Pinot that has blown my mind. I'm talking the kind of wine that is so complex that you have to think about what it is your tasting. Because what your tasting on the front end, is different than what your tasting mid palette, and then totally different in the finish.

A really good Pinot will bust you in the chops with delicious fruit; then add black licorice, tobacco, clove, coriander, chocolate, all spice (that'll make you think of Thanksgiving) and finish with earthiness, soft tannins and even more fruit. It's like: Damn there's a kaleidoscope going on here.


This is one of those Pinots. If you can find this, buy it. Buy all you can afford. Stash a few away for a holiday or for when that new bike shows up.

This Pinot does it all at an affordable price. $23.99

Here's to your good taste: you guys ride handbuilt bikes so you must have some. ;)

Mods place this where appropriate. I just threw it out there to GD.

[twowheels]

Agree, the Cameron ribbon ridge 2015 is very good. I've already bought 3 cases of it.

[pdmtong]

California here

Williams-Selyem, Kistler, Kosta Browne, Dumol, Littoria, Seasmoke . . .

[Lionel]

Romanee Conti. End of thread.

[vertical_doug]

Romanee Conti. End of thread.

Decisions Decisions

Do you drink a bottle of Romanee-Conti or get a new Dogma F10 with ETAP?

Or you could decide to compromise and drink the La Tache instead and get a Dogma F8 with DI2 for about the same price.

Decisions decisions, to drink, to ride, or to ride and drink.

Please remember to drink safely and keep it at two glasses.

[fletcher]

Romanee Conti. End of thread.

Romanee-Conti is a "sometimes wine". "Sometimes" like those times we find ourselves with several $$$thousands burning holes in our pockets. Pretty sure Jimbo is talking "everyday wines". I dig those Oregon pinot noirs.

[Lionel]

It's too bad that Romanee Conti has become basically ridiculously priced. Had the pleasure of drinking a bottle once only. This was a very long time ago.

[vertical_doug]

I comfort myself on whether high priced bottle or cheap bottle, it will all be piss in the end.

Come to think of it, the same with beer.

[fastupslowdown]

Romanee-Conti is a "sometimes wine". "Sometimes" like those times we find ourselves with several $$$thousands burning holes in our pockets. Pretty sure Jimbo is talking "everyday wines". I dig those Oregon pinot noirs.

+1 on Oregon, which has it all over California. I'm a big fan of Drouhin Laurene, but my real passion is Burgundy. So hard to find good Pinot outside Burgundy. The only tasting I had outside Oregon that was acceptable was one South African producer Hamilton Russell. Stopped buying it only because the price went up beyond what i thought justified.

[Broady]

I'm going to a Gergovie and Tutto Wines takeover of my local bars tonight, got a feeling tomorrow mornings ride may be a slow one.

[fastupslowdown]

California here

Williams-Selyem, Kistler, Kosta Browne, Dumol, Littoria, Seasmoke . . .

I used to like all these. I could swear Kosta Browne adulterates their wine with Syrah. Once I went Burgundy, these California producers were too over the top. And if I recall the Kosta alcohol percentage was over 14 & 15%?? Pinot should not come in that high IMHO. Apologize for the opinionated rant but this is something I care a lot about.

[Pikey]

Central Otago region
South Island (Amisfield) New Zealand hands down has the world's best Pinot Noir...Felton Road etc

[znfdl]

The year was 1989 and I had my first bottle of William-Selyem wine, it has been true love ever since.

[bigbill]

I honestly didn't care about wine until I was stationed in Sardinia. The northern end of the island is dotted with vineyards with the main varietal being Cannonau (Grenache) grapes. I learned to appreciate the local wines and brought back 20+ cases with me when we returned to the US. My favorite was Barriu, and I still have one bottle remaining from the dozens I brought home. I'm saving it for something, not sure what.

One vineyard we cycled through almost daily had a special deal where you could bring a 1 gallon glass jug (that they'd sell you for 10 euros) and get it filled for 10 euros. They used an old fashioned gas pump to fill the jug and it was great wine. Because it was decanted as the jug was filled, we'd enjoy it that evening. I'd live there again if I could, what a simple and rich lifestyle that was.

[colker]

I wish i could drink wine w/out ending w/ a migraine. Whisky is ok though. Carry on...

[colker]

I honestly didn't care about wine until I was stationed in Sardinia. The northern end of the island is dotted with vineyards with the main varietal being Cannonau (Grenache) grapes. I learned to appreciate the local wines and brought back 20+ cases with me when we returned to the US. My favorite was Barriu, and I still have one bottle remaining from the dozens I brought home. I'm saving it for something, not sure what.

One vineyard we cycled through almost daily had a special deal where you could bring a 1 gallon glass jug (that they'd sell you for 10 euros) and get it filled for 10 euros. They used an old fashioned gas pump to fill the jug and it was great wine. Because it was decanted as the jug was filled, we'd enjoy it that evening. I'd live there again if I could, what a simple and rich lifestyle that was.

I am with you: i want a simple, rural or at least little town lifestyle. I had enough of the urban crowd thank you very much. I can live without the facilities, ammenities, luxury whatever...

[robin3mj]

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?

[adamrogers2009]

but my real passion is Burgundy. So hard to find good Pinot outside Burgundy.n Russell.

Gevrey Chambertin is superb, and quite good in the value-for-money category even though most houses set their retail prices north of $50/bottle. It was Napoleon's favorite wine; good taste had he.

[adamrogers2009]

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

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

[Matthew J]

Barbaresco is my favorite light red.

If you can find a bottle, the 2007 Montefico is sublime perfection.