|
|
Patty’s Pinot Closet publishes this newsletter on the enjoyment and appreciation of Pinot Noir. We welcome you to enjoy the newsletters and to share them with others. You can find past newsletters at www.pinotnoirs.com
Each newsletter covers a different Pinot Noir growing area in the world. Areas covered include California, Oregon, British Columbia, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and France.
If you cannot see the links or images in this e-mail, Click Here or cut and paste this URL into your browser's address field: http://www.pinotnoirs.com/newsletters.html
|
|
Paso Robles, CA
The Paso Robles area abounds with wine and food experiences. Look for the Pinot Noirs in this exciting young area along Hwy 46 West of Hwy 101. They call this area the Templeton Gap. Go wine tasting along the Templeton Gap and try restaurants like Farmstand 46. Their sandwiches are delicious and you’re surrounded by people enjoying this fun area.
In town you can walk to a number of restaurants a few blocks from the city square -- restaurants such as Artesian, Roberts or Thomas Hill Organics to name only a few. See our list of restaurants below or consult our website for restaurants and hotels in the Paso Robles area.
Every time I visit this area I find new restaurants and wineries -- restaurants that show off the local fruits, vegetables and seafood. Those restaurants I’ve tried are proud to serve the local wines.
|
|
Paso Robles Food, Restaurants & Accommodations
Enjoying the Paso Pinot & Paella Festival
|
|
Paella
Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully with the many flavors of Paella. Many describe Paella as the national dish of Spain. The Valencians cooked this hearty meal over an open fire with whatever ingredients they had on hand. Saffron remains the one Paella ingredient that doesn't change in this hearty meal.
The Pinot Noir producers of the Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA) host the annual "Paso Pinot and Paella Festival". Restaurants from the area prepare Paella with wonderful abandon and imagination. They use ingredients like seafood, chicken, sausage, snails, duck and rabbit. Whatever ingredients you throw into your Paella, it pairs with food-friendly Pinot Noir.
In the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County the Pessagno Winery hosts a Pinot and Paella day every summer. At one of these events I tasted the best Paella I'd ever eaten. Chef Didier Dutertre of Bistro Moulin in Monterey, CA prepared the paella over an open fire in a six-foot pan.
|
|
Visit the Wild Horse Winery website where Clay Brock, Director of Winemaking, and Chrissy Wittmann, Winemaker, recommend many wonderful Pinot Noir pairings. They pair their Cheval Sauvage (a Burgundian style Pinot Noir) with a roasted rabbit and raspberry sauce or ginger glazed salmon. With their Wild Horse Unbridled Pinot Noir, Bien Nacido Vineyard, they pair pork tenderloin and cherry sauce or cedar planked salmon. With their Unbridled Pinot Noir from Solomon Hills they pair pork medallions and raspberry reduction sauce or seafood cioppino. http://www.wildhorsewinery.com
|
Recipes
Paella
|
|
Paella
Chef Didier Dutertre, Bistro Moulin
Calrose Rice & Stock
Spanish Saffron
Lobster Stock
Dungeness Crab Stock
Soffrita
Heirloom Tomato, Pessagno Farms
Whole Roma Tomato
Sauteed Onion
Roasted Garlic, Manzoni Farms
Staples & Garnishes
Flour Spiced Fried Chicken
Spanish Chorizo
Green Peas
Red Bell Peppers
Red Snapper
Mediteranean Mussels
Green Lip Mussels
Prawns
Calamari Rings & Tentacles
Italian Parsley
Lemon Wedges
|
Restaurants
|
Artisan
Address: 1401 Park Street, #105 Downtown Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: 805.237.8084
Fax: 805.237.8638
www.artisanpasorobles.com
shandi@artisanpasorobles.com
Inspired by American flavors and built upon traditional techniques, Artisan takes classic comfort food and re-introduces it as fresh innovative cuisine.
Bistro Laurent
1202 Pine Street, Paso Robles, CA
http://www.bistrolaurent.com
bistro@gopaso.com
”A Bistro is an unpretentious neighborhood restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere and reasonable prices.” Laurent Grangien, Chef-Owner.
Buona Tavola, Northern Italian Cuisine
943 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446
805.237.0600
www.btslo.com
buonapaso@att.net
Pier 46 Seafood Market
1131 Rossi Road Templeton, CA 93465
805.434.1950
www.pier46seafood.com
eric@pier46seafood.com
North County’s ultimate fresh fish market, party platters, catering, live lobster, crabs, oysters fish-n-chips, fish tacos and more. Great stop for lunch while wine tasting in the area.
Robert's Restaurant and Bar
1218 Pine Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446
805-226-5556
www.robertsrestaurantpaso.com
Open for both lunch and dinner. Dine in an elegant, yet refreshingly relaxed atmosphere. Experience the wine region of Paso Robles at their wine bar.
|
Farmstand 46
|
|
Farmstand 46
3750 W Hwy 46, Templeton, CA 93465
805-239-3661
www.farmstand46.com
Catch a great sandwich while out wine tasting on West Hwy 46.
Thomas Hill Organics
1305 Park Street - Entrance in alley Paso Robles, CA 93446
805.226.5888
805.226.5890
www.thomashillorganics.com
thomashillfarms@earthlink.net
A market-bistro and wine bar dedicated to serving organic produce from their farm and highlighting unique wines from the Central Coast. The menu changes weekly depending on the season and the availability of ingredients.
|
|
Accommodations
|
Paso Robles Inn
1103 Spring Street, Paso Robles, CA 93446
800-676-1713
805-238-2660
www.pasoroblesinn.com
A Historic hotel located in the heart of downtown Paso Robles Historical charm meets modern comforts in the enchanting Paso Robles Inn. Within walking distance of many Paso Robles Restaurants - Artisan, Bistro Laurent, Buona Tavola, Roberts, and Thomas Hill Organics.
|
Paso Robles Inn
|
|
The Inn at Opolo
|
|
The Inn at Opolo
7110 Vineyard Drive, Paso Robles, CA 93446
805 238-9593
www.opolo.com
sales@opolo.com
Above the vineyards at Opolo, this lovely inn offers fireplaces, soaking tubs, showers and a specially made breakfast you will thoroughly enjoy.
|
Hotel Cheval
1021 Pine Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446
805-226-9995
www.hotelcheval.com
info@hotelcheval.com
Paso Robles’ finest boutique luxury hotel, located in the heart of downtown. Just steps away from a variety of charming boutiques, world-class restaurants and wine tasting rooms.
|
Hotel Cheval
|
|
Things To Do In Paso Robles
|
For information on things to do in Paso Robles go to their tourism website. On the website you'll find everything you need to plan your trip to the Paso Robles Wine Tasting Area.
www.pasowine.com
Paso Pinot and Paella Festival
A Sunday in June
Templeton Community Park, Templeton, CA USA
For more info: info@windwardvineyard.com
805.239.2565
Join the Pinot Noir Producers of Paso Robles and 20 great chefs for an afternoon of great wine, creative Paella dishes, and dance to the live music. Mingle with the winemakers and discover how they reflect the sense of place in each glass of their Pinot Noir. Visit each of the 20 chefs and taste the wonderful Paella flavors created to pair with local Pinot Noirs. Breathe in the aroma of the simmering Paella and taste why leading food magazines identify this area as a great place for wonderful cuisine, made with locally grown and farm fresh ingredients.
|
|
|
Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards
Pinot Noir Blending Seminars
Wild Horse offers Pinot Noir Blending Seminars where participants learn the art of blending wine. Each participant creates their own unique blend to bottle and take home. Price includes seminar and a 375ml bottle of your custom wine creation. Seminar offered Saturday or Sunday by appointment at 11am or 2pm. Limit 10 people. $50 per person; $35 for wine club members. Please call for reservations 805.788.6315 or email leslie.churchill@wildhorsewinery.com
|
|
Templeton Farmers Market
Saturday morning at Templeton Community Park, where the largest gathering of farmers in the county sell fresh-picked produce beneath a canopy of ancient oaks (Crocker St. at Sixth St.; 805/748-1109).
|
|
Happy Acres Family Farm
At Happy Acres you can blend your own fresh cheese, learn to milk a goat, bottle feed the newborns, sample their handmade lotions and all natural products and try their fresh goat milk ice cream.
Tour by appointment only -- $25.
1955 Templeton Road
805-434-7580
http://happyacresfamilyfarm.net/tours.html
order@happyacresgoatmilkproducts.com
Happyacres1@gmail.com
|
Pinot Noir Festivals
|
Australian Wine Festivals
- TBD October 2012 –– October Pinot Week Peninsula Pinot Noir Dinners, Pinot Noirs by the Glass, regional tastings, Wine & Food partnerships. www.mpva.com.au
- 8 – 9 February 2013 –– MPVA Pinot Noir Celebration, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia www.mpva.com.au
- 10 March 2013 –– Peninsula Piers & Pinots, Mornington Peninsula Vignerons showcase their Pinot Noirs with matched food and live music www.mpva.com.au
- TBD June 2013 –– Winter Wine Weekend, Vignerons welcome visitors to warm Cellar Doors this Winter to taste new release wines, visit old favorites and to experience the seasonal offerings of the region. www.mpva.com.au
British Columbia Wine Festivals
- 7 – 15 July 2012 –– Okanagan Summer Wine Festival, Okanagan Valley, BC. www.owfs.com
- 28 Sept – 7 October 2012 –– Okanagan Fall Wine Festival, Okanagan Valley, BC www.owfs.com
- 16 – 20 January 2013 –– Okanagan Winter Wine Festival, Okanagan Valley, BC www.owfs.com
- 3 – 12 May 2013 –– Okanagan Spring Festival, Okanagan Valley, BC www.owfs.com
New Zealand Wine Festivals
- 18 November 2012 –– Toast Martinborough, Martinborough, New Zealand. New Zealand's Premier Wine, Food and Music Festival www.toastmartinborough.co.nz
- 28 – 31 January 2013 –– Pinot Noir NZ 2013, Wellington, New Zealand. This four day festival is held only every three years. www.pinotnz.co.nz
US Wine Festivals
- 12 – 15 July 2012 –– Central Coast Wine Classic, Avila Beach Resort, Avila Beach, CA www.centralcoastwineclassic.org
- 27 – 29 July 2012 –– 26th Annual International Pinot Noir Celebration (IPNC), McMinnville, OR www.ipnc.org
- 3 – 5 August 2012 –– West of West Wine Festival, Occidental, CA First-ever event celebrates West Sonoma Coast wines www.westofwestwine.com
- 18 – 19 August 2012 –– Wine & Fire. Sta. Rita Hills Winegrowers Alliance casual weekend of tastings and open houses www.staritahills.com
- 11 August 2012 –– Winemaker's Celebration, Monterey, CA www.montereywines.org/winemakers_celebration.php
- 7 – 8 September 2012 –– Winesong! Weekend, Anderson Valley & the Mendocino Coast. Visit Anderson Valley & the Mendocino Coast for a spectacular weekend of wine, food, music & more! www.winesong.org
- 21 October 2012 –– Pinot on the River, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, CA www.pinotfestival.com/
- 13 October 2012, 1–4 pm –– 2012 Santa Barbara County Celebration of Harvest, Rancho Sisquoc Winery, Santa Maria. www.sbcountywines.com/
- 4 & 10 November 2012 –– ¡Salud! Oregon's Pinot Noir Auction, Oregon's top Pinot Noir producers unite to provide much-needed healthcare outreach and services to seasonal vineyard workers and their families. This two-day event is a rare opportunity to preview the 2009 vintage, bid on unique Pinot Noirs created especially for ¡Salud!, and other exciting auction lots. www.saludauction.org/
- TBD November 2012 ––The Great Wine Escape Weekend 2012, Various locations throughout Carmel, Carmel Valley, Monterey and Salinas. www.montereywines.org
- TBD November 2012 ––Pinot Days, Chicago – Navy Pier www.pinotdays.com/
- TBD January 2013 –– Pinot Days Southern California, Santa Monica, CA www.pinotdays.com/
- 29 January – 9 Feb 2013 –– Pasadena Pinot Fest www.pasadenapinotfest.com/
- TBD February 2013 –– Pinot Noir Summit, San Rafael, CA. One of the best Pinot Noir events in the world, returns to the Bay area for it's 9th year. www.affairsofthevine.com/pn_summit_8.php
- 23 & 24 Mar 2013 –– Pinot Paradise – Includes Pathway, the Technical Session, & VIP Grand Cruz Tasting! www.scmwa.com/
- TBD April 2013 –– Dundee Hills Appellation Passport Tour, Dundee, OR www.dundeehills.org/passport.htm
- TBD April 2013 –– Pebble Beach Food & Wine, Pebble Beach, CA. The Premier Epicurean Lifestyle Event in the Country. www.pebblebeachfoodandwine.com/
- TBD April 2013 –– Santa Barbara County Vintner's Festival. Lompoc CA The festival features the wines of their 100+ members of the Association, live and lively music, a silent auction and wine country cuisine by the area's finest chefs. www.sbcountywines.com/
- 17 – 19 May 2013 –– Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Festival, Anderson Valley - Philo, CA www.avwines.com/
- TBD May 2013 –– SLH Winegrowers Gala VII, Santa Lucia Highlands, Monterey County, CA www.santaluciahighlands.com
- 2 June 2013 –– Pinot & Paella Cook-Off, Templeton Community Park, Paso Robles, CA www.pinotandpaella.com
- TBD June 2013 –– Pinot Days, Fort Mason, San Francisco, CA www.pinotdays.com
|
Click Here for a complete list of Pinot Noir Wine Festivals. If you have a Pinot Noir festival you would like to add send a note to pat@pinotnoirs.com
Paso Robles Pinot Noir
|
The Templeton Gap runs east on Hwy 46 from the Pacific Ocean to Hwy 101 in Paso Robles. You’ll find the Pinot Noirs of this area on either side of the gap. The pink outline defines the Paso Robles American Viticulture Area (AVA). The orange outline defines the York Mountain AVA.
Pinot Noir loves the morning fog and the afternoon ocean breezes blowing in from the Pacific Ocean. The Templeton Gap (a break in the Santa Lucia Mountain chain) gives them what they love.
Dr. Stanley Hoffman first grew Pinot Noir in this region in the 1960s and 70s. His consultant, Andre Tchelistcheff, (the grandfather of California wine) concluded that this was an area for Pinot Noir. Dr Hoffman planted French clones sourced by Andre in the late 1960s. The 1976 Hoffman Mountain Ranch (HMR) scored very high in a blind tasting in France and gave International recognition to Paso Pinot Noir for the first time.
Adelaida Cellars currently owns Hoffman’s original vineyard.
Ken Volk founded Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards in 1981. He named the winery after the wild mustangs that roamed the hills east of the vineyard estate. The mustangs represent a free and noble spirit that embodies the winery's commitment to spirited winemaking.
|
Paso Robles AVA outlined in Pink. York Mountain AVA outlined in Orange.
|
|
Marc Goldberg and Maggie D’Ambrosia founded Windward in 1990 and began producing their wonderful Pinot Noirs.
The cooling marine influence of the Pacific Ocean which flows through the Templeton Gap guarantees a daily 50 degree difference in diurnal temperatures. That and the calcareous soil that thrust up over 45 Million years ago allow winemakers in this area to produce wines that rival those of Burgundy’s Cote d’Or.
More than 24 Paso Pinot Noir Producers reside in this area.
Paso Robles Wineries
|
Derby Wine Estates
5620 E Highway 46
Paso Robles CA 93446
info@derbywineestates.com
www.derbywineestates.com
805–238–6300
800–659–0820
Ray and Pam Derby purchased their first vineyard property, now known as Derbyshire Vineyard in 1998. They launched Derby Wine Estates in 2008. They use only 10 percent of their best grapes in the Derby label. They sell the remaining 90 percent of their grapes to some of the finest wine producers in California.
|
|
Tiffinee Vierra at the Derbyshire Vineyard (notice the Pacific Ocean in the Background)
|
|
As Winemaker & General Manager for Derby Wine Estates, Tiffinee Vierra crafts wines of complexity and character. She graduated from Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo with a degree in food science and a minor in packaging.
The Derby’s planted Derbyshire Vineyard off of Highway 1 between Cambria & San Simeon, 1 mile inland from the Pacific Ocean. They planted 63 acres of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. San Simeon soils consist of moderately deep and well drained soils that formed on soft sandstone.
|
|
Stephen’s Cellar
7575 York Mountain Road
Templeton, CA 93465
steve@stephenscellar.com
www.stephenscellar.com
805.238.2412
Visits to cellar and vineyard by appointment.
Tasting daily, 11–5 at The Sycamore Herb Farm, 2485 Hwy 46 West, Paso Robles, 805.138.0845.
|
|
Steve and Lori Goldman own Stephen’s Cellar. They located their cellar and estate vineyard in the York Mountain AVA. Besides their estate vineyard they harvest seven neighboring vineyards. They planted their estate vineyard in the Spring of 2001.
Steve and his father Max Goldman created the York Mountain AVA in 1983
|
Stephen's Cellar & Estate Vineyard in the Early Morning Fog
|
|
Clay Brock, Director of Winemaking at Wild Horse
|
|
Ken Volk founded Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards in 1981. He named the winery after the wild mustangs that roamed the hills east of the vineyard estate. The mustangs represent a free and noble spirit that embodies the winery's commitment to spirited winemaking.
Clay Brock, Director of Winemaking, joined Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards in 2008. Previously he held the position of Vice President of Winemaking at Zaca Mesa. He also held winemaking positions at Edna Valley Vineyards and Byron Vineyards in Santa Maria. He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Chrissy Wittmann, Winemaker, joined Wild Horse Winery & Vineyards in 2007 after ten years of winemaking experience at Scheid Vineyards, Courtside Cellars and Meridian. She earned her degree in Biology and a Masters Degree in Agriculture from Cal Poly.
Wild Horse multi-vineyard sources their grapes. Using this philosophy they harvest individual lots of the same variety from many different terroirs and hold them separately. After fermentation they carefully blend the individual lots into extremely complex yet harmonious wines.
Wild Horse offers Pinot Noir Blending Seminars where participants learn the art of blending wine. Each participant creates their own unique blend to bottle and take home. Price includes seminar and a 375ml bottle of your custom wine creation. They offer seminars on Saturday and Sunday by appointment at 11am or 2pm. Limit 10 people. $50 per person; $35 for wine club members. Please call for reservations 805.788.6315 or email leslie.churchill@wildhorsewinery.com
|
About my scores: I believe that no one gains by embarrassing someone or something, be it my husband, my children, someone’s wine, a co-worker, a subordinate, an enemy or a friend. I therefore, try to never criticize a person or a thing. I believe in keeping my life and surroundings positive. So, I rate all the wines I taste and then draw a cut-off line at 85 points. Who knows, maybe that wine that got an 84 was just having a bad day — why make it worse!
About Scoring: As I go around to Wine Events I hear a lot about Wine Scoring. At the “Women in Wine Seminar” many of the speakers (not all) seemed to feel that numerical scoring for wine was wrong — not the womanly way! They seemed to feel that some kind of “Wishy-Washy” system like good, bad, or ugly would be better. Having been formally educated as a mathematician I first like to see a numerical score. Second, I like to see a description where I can look for key words important to me such as Black Cherry, Dense, Earthy, etc. Third, I recommend to wine enthusiasts that they look for wine critics who like what they like and stick with them — it’s a three step formula for finding wines you’ll enjoy.
With that, here are my scores and descriptions for Pinot Noirs from Paso Robles, CA.
Wines
Patty’s Pinot Closet lists all the wines reviewed in current and past newsletters. We’ve included a price taken from the winery website or other retail sources if possible. They are included for relative comparison only, your price may be different. All prices in this newsletter are in US dollars unless stated otherwise.
| Pinot Noir | Year | Price | Rank | Description |
|---|
Stephen's Cellar
CA, SLO, York Mountain
Estate Pinot Noir | 1996 | 50 | 95 | Dense intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of earthy blackberry and blueberry with hints of tobacco and forest floor. Tastes of complex, well-balanced dark fruit with fine grain tannins. Long finish.
| Derby Wine Estates
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Derbyshire Vineyard, Central Coast Pinot Noir | 2007 | 42 | 94 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Burgundian aromas of blackberry and blueberry. Complex well-balanced tastes of dark fruit. Medium finish.
| Derby Wine Estates
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Derbyshire Vineyard, Central Coast Pinot Noir | 2009 | 36 | 94 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Burgundian black currant aromas with hints of violets and black pepper. Complex, well-balanced velvety dark fruit tastes and fine grain tannins. Long finish.
| Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
CA, SLO, Arroyo Grande Valley
Reserve Pinot Noir | 2001 | 33 | 94 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Perfume aromas of earthy black cherries. Well balanced with velvety dark fruit flavors Long finish.
| Stephen's Cellar
CA, SLO, York Mountain
Monterey, Santa Lucia Highlands, Encell Vineyard Pinot Noir | 2007 | 24 | 94 | Dense intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of earthy blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and mushroom with hints of forest floor. Well-balanced tastes of velvety dark fruit with fine grain tannins. Long finish.
| Wild Horse Cheval Sauvage
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
SBC, Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir | 2007 | 65 | 94 | Aromas of strawberries and Asian spices. Complex, well-balanced earthy dark fruit flavors. Long finish.
| Wild Horse Cheval Sauvage
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
SBC, Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir | 2008 | 65 | 94 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black currant and blackberry with hints of mushroom, forest floor and violets. Tastes of earthy complex well-balanced dark fruit with fine tannins. Medium finish.
| Windward Vineyards
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Estate Gold Barrel Select Pinot Noir | 2007 | 62 | 94 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Burgundian aromas of black currants with hints of violets. Tastes of velvety black fruit with a very long finish.
| Stephen's Cellar
CA, SLO
Stromsoe Vineyard Pinot Noir | 2006 | 24 | 93 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of earthy cherries, strawberries with hints of roses and forest floor. Tastes of well-balanced velvety dark fruit with fine grain tannins. Medium finish.
| Center of Effort
CA, SLO, Edna Valley
Estate Pinot Noir | 2009 | 40 | 92 | Dense wine with a black cherry color. Burgundian aromas of black currant with hints of tobacco and chocolate. Tastes of earthy dark fruit. Well-balanced velvety wine with a medium finish.
| Derby Wine Estates
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Sparkling Brut Rose Pinot Noir | 2007 | 54 | 92 | Sparkling wine with a salmon color. Made from 100% Pinot Noir with aromas of orange zest and bread dough. Flavors of raspberry and grapefruit with lots of tiny bubbles.
| Derby Wine Estates
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Derbyshire Vineyard, Central Coast Pinot Noir | 2008 | 32 | 92 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Burgundian black currant aromas with hints of violets. Complex well-balanced velvety wine with fine grain tannins.
| Laetitia Vineyard & Winery
CA, SLO, Arroyo Grande Valley
Estate Pinot Noir | 2002 | 36 | 92 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of earthy black cherries. Tastes of dark fruit with a lovely long finish.
| Phantom Rivers
CA, SLO, Edna Valley
Wolff Vineyards Pinot Noir | 2007 | 26 | 92 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of blackberry with hints of roses. Well-balanced earthy velvety tastes of dark fruit and fine grain tannins. Long finish.
| Phantom Rivers
CA, SLO, Edna Valley
Wolff Vineyards Pinot Noir | 2008 | – | 92 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of strawberry, black cherry and violets. Well-balanced silky wine the dark fruit flavors and fine grain tannins.
| Stephen's Cellar
CA, SLO, York Mountain
Estate Pinot Noir | 2007 | 38 | 92 | Dense intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of earthy blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and mushroom with hints of forest floor. Well-balanced tastes of velvety dark fruit with fine grain tannins. Long finish.
| Stephen's Cellar
CA, SLO, York Mountain
Estate Pinot Noir | 2008 | 38 | 92 | Dense intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of earthy blackberry, blueberry, chocolate and mushroom with hints of forest floor. Well-balanced tastes of velvety dark fruit with fine grain tannins. Long finish.
| Tantara Winery
CA, SLO, Arroyo Grande Valley
La Colline Vineyard Pinot Noir | 2008 | 50 | 92 | Dense wine with a black cherry color. Earthy black currant, blackberry, blueberry aromas with hints of licorice and chocolate. Well-balanced velvety wine with fine grain tannins. Medium finish.
| Wild Horse Unbridled
CA, SLO, Arroyo Grande Valley
Pinot Noir | 2008 | 40 | 92 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Earthy Blackberry and boysenberry aromas. Complex, well-balanced dark fruit flavors with fine grain tannins and hints of forest floor. Long finish.
| Wild Horse Unbridled
CA, SBC, Santa Maria Valley
Bien Nacido Vineyards Pinot Noir | 2008 | 50 | 92 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Raspberry and strawberry aromas with hints of tea and roses. Flavors of red fruit with hints of spice and vanilla. Long finish.
| Wild Horse Unbridled
CA, SLO, Edna Valley
Righetti Ranch Pinot Noir | 2009 | 35 | 92 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Plum, Pomegranate and cinnamon aromas. Tastes of dark red fruit with fine grain tannins. Long finish.
| Calcareous Winery
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
York Mountain Pinot Noir | 2008 | 34 | 91 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Blackberry aromas with hints of black pepper and thyme. Well-balanced velvety dark fruit flavors. Short finish.
| Stephen's Cellar
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Moore Vineyard Pinot Noir | 2006 | 24 | 91 | Dense intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of earthy cherries with hints of eucalyptus and mint Well-balanced tastes of velvety dark fruit with fine grain tannins. Long finish.
| Windward Vineyards
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Estate Pinot Noir | 2006 | 36 | 91 | Light intensity wine with a cherry color. Aromas of Asian spice and raspberries. Well-balanced silky wine with a long finish.
| Calcareous Winery
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
York Mountain Pinot Noir | 2007 | 34 | 90 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of black currant and raspberry. Well-balanced velvety earthy wine with nice tannins.
| Wild Horse
CA, Central Coast
Pinot Noir | 2010 | 20 | 90 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Raspberry and pomegranate aromas with Asian spices. Silky red fruit tastes with fine grain tannins. Medium finish.
| Conway Family Wines
CA, Central Coast
Deep Sea Pinot Noir | 2008 | 28 | 89 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of strawberry, cranberry and raspberry with hints of tea. Well-balanced tastes of red fruits with a medium finish.
| Derby Wine Estates
CA, SLO
Derbyshire Vineyard, Central Coast Pinot Noir | 2006 | 36 | 89 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of cherry and raspberry with hints of violets, thyme and tea. Velvety wine with fine grain tannins. Medium finish.
| Jack Creek Cellars
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Estate, Kruse Vineyards Pinot Noir | 2009 | 33 | 89 | Dense intensity wine with a black cherry color. Earthy blackberry aromas. Well-balanced velvety dark fruit tastes with fine grain tannins. Medium finish.
| Phantom Rivers
CA, SLO, Edna Valley
Wolff Vineyards Pinot Noir | 2006 | – | 89 | Light intensity wine with a black cherry color. Cherry and raspberry aromas. Tastes of red fruit with a nice finish.
| Summerland Winery
CA, SLO, Edna Valley
Odyssey-Thurlestone Vineyard Pinot Noir | 2007 | 45 | 89 | Light intensity with a cherry color. Nose of roses and spice. Tastes of cherry cola and raspberry.
| Talley Vineyards
CA, SLO, Arroyo Grande Valley
Pinot Noir | 2006 | 33 | 89 | Aromas of black cherries with hints of violets and cinnamon. Tastes of velvety dark fruit with a medium finish.
| Wild Horse
CA, Central Coast
Pinot Noir | 2009 | 20 | 89 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Raspberry, pomegranate, and strawberry aromas with well-balanced silky tastes of dark fruit. Fine grain tannins with a medium finish.
| Wild Horse Unbridled
CA, SBC
Reserve Pinot Noir | 2009 | 35 | 89 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Cherry and Cranberry aromas with hints of roses and mushroom. Silky red fruit flavors with smooth tannins. Medium finish.
| Windward Vineyards
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Estate Pinot Noir | 2007 | 38 | 89 | Light intensity wine with a cherry color. Aromas of pomegranate and strawberry. Tastes of silky red fruit with fine grain tannins. Medium finish.
| Asuncion Ridge
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Estate Pinot Noir | 2009 | 38 | 88 | Medium intensity wine with a garnet color. Aromas of cherry and pomegranate with hints of vanilla. Tastes of well-balanced silky red fruit. Medium finish.
| Calcareous Winery
CA, SLO, York Mountain
York Mountain Pinot Noir | 2010 | 34 | 88 | Light intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of cherry and pomegranate. Well-balanced, silky dark-fruit flavors with a medium finish.
| Opolo Vineyards
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Pinot Noir Estate | 2009 | 24 | 88 | Medium intensity bright wine with a black cherry color. Raspberry aromas with hints of apricot. Well-balanced silky tastes of red fruit. Medium finish.
| Calcareous Winery
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Twisted Sisters Pinot Noir | 2010 | 20 | 87 | Light intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of cherry and strawberry. Well-balanced silky taste of red fruit with a short finish.
| Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Pinot Noir | 2008 | 34 | 87 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of dusty blackberries. Well-balanced silky wine.
| Windward Vineyards
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Estate Pinot Noir | 2008 | 38 | 87 | Light intensity wine with a cherry color. Aromas of cherries and strawberries. Tastes of red fruit with a medium finish.
| Asuncion Ridge
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Estate Pinot Noir | 2007 | 38 | 86 | Medium intensity wine with a cherry color. Aromas of strawberry and raspberry. Tastes of silky red fruit with a medium finish.
| Asuncion Ridge
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Estate Pinot Noir | 2008 | 38 | 86 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Aromas of strawberry, raspberry and pomegranate. Tastes of well-balanced velvety dark fruit. Medium finish.
| Casa Barranca
CA, SLO, Arroyo Grande
Laetitia Vineyard Pinot Noir | 2007 | 28 | 86 | Light Intensity wine with a cherry color.
| Hearthstone Winery
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Estate Pinot Noir | 2007 | 32 | 86 | Medium intensity wine with a black cherry color. Dusty aromas with a silky taste.
| Rockin' R Winery
CA, SLO, Paso Robles
Smooth Pinot Noir Reserve | 2009 | 36 | 85 | Light intensity wine with a black cherry color. Pomegranate and cranberry aromas. Tastes of silky red fruit with a short finish.
|
Glossary:
Terroir – - A term, originated in France, which accounts for the effects of soil, climate, altitude, sun angle, water draniage, and slope of the terrain which might influence the quality of the finished wine. Their is no absolute measure of Terroir, but rather it is in the eye of the beholder.
American Viticultural Area (AVA) – - Also known as Approved Viticultural Area, which is not correct. A delimited grape-growing region distinguishable by geographical features.
You can find more definitions in my wine glossary at www.pinotnoirs.com
Advertising Enquiries:
To inquire about advertising on Patty's Pinot Closet web site, please e-mail pat@pinotnoirs.com. There are now 17,500 passionate and engaged wine lovers who subscribe to Patty's newsletter.
Subsequent Newsletters:
To view the publication schedule for 2012 Click Here.
| August | Mendocino, Anderson Valley, CA |
| October | Sonoma, CA |
| December | Willamette Valley, OR |
Subscriptions:
Patty's Pinot Closet Newsletter is free via e-mail and can be viewed or downloaded from my web site. To subscribe Click Here to send us an e-mail.
Patty's Pinot Closet Web Site:
Contains information on Pinot Noir such as newsletters (current and previous), Pinot Noir culture, wine making, serving, regions and wineries, storing, wine events, restaurants with good wine lists, and wine glossary. To access Patty's Pinot Closet Click Here.
Patty's Pinot Closet Newsletter for Friends:
If you know anyone who would like to receive a copy of Patty's Pinot Closet, Click Here to send us an e-mail.
To be removed from our mailing list, Click Here.
©2012 Patty's Pinot Closet. All Rights Reserved.
|
