Wine Tasting: 2015 Elouan Pinot Noir

Tonight we are back with the finicky varietal.  A Pinot Noir out of the coastal hills of Oregon.

2015 Elouan Pinot Noir

Tasting Notes:
A dark rich crimson color.  Scents of blueberry, licorice, and sea stones.   Very lively cranberries, with a light peppery tobacco tar essence.  Late flare of orange zest as it moves into the pungent finish to complete a terrific balance.

Final Thoughts:
Considering what a good Oregon Pinot Noir is known to go for.  This is not just a fantastic wine, it's a fantastic bargain!  I suppose that is what you should expect from a product created by a member of the Wagner family.

Wine Tasting: 2014 Orbit Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley

I visited my local wine shop today and there was an distributor there offering tastings of their products.  I tried three of them and found one to be to my liking and picked up a bottle of it.  

You would think this wine is it, but it's not.  They were also tasting an Orbit wine, but it was the Cabernet Sauvignon.  The bottle I picked up was also a Cab, just not the Orbit which I did try, but was all that fond of.

While perusing the Pinot Noir section, I noticed they had an Orbit Pinot Noir.  Given the Cab didn't spark much interest, I don't actually know why I was drawn to it.   Well, tonight that is what we're tasting.  2014 Orbit Pinot Noir from California's Russian River Valley.

Tasting Notes:
A beautiful translucent ruby hue. Thin scents of pomegranate and volcanic rock. Buoyant fruit flavors of red cherry, backed with light plum and a red apple rind. Very fruit forward and quite lively.

Final Thoughts:
Better than expected from an $18US Pinot Noir and definitely a surprise from my Orbit Cab tasting initial thoughts.  Though I tend to really like many of the Pinot Noir's coming out of the Russian River Valley. (Miro being one of my favorites)

Wine Tasting: 2014 Andrew Rich Pinot Noir

Tonight's wine is an oregonian wine from the Willamette Valley.  More specifically, 2014 Andrew Rich's Heart's Gate Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes:
A nice ruby color.  Pomegranate and cherry on the nose.   Flavors of blueberry, red plum, dried fruit with a touch of vanilla.  A slight bit tart, medium bodied, with a late acidic pinch at the end that burns off with a little time to breath.

Final Thoughts:
A decent drinkable Pinot Noir.  Very little pizzazz and really nothing special.  Definitely a negative QPR. I would say it’s priced about $3-$6 above what it should be. ($22US)

Wine Tasting: 2014 Meiomi Pinot Noir

On the docket tonight is a wine that I've been meaning to try for some time, but there always seemed to be an excuse to open a different wine.

Meiomi Wines is a fairly well known brand.  I've tried one of their Chardonnays.  Tonight is their 2014 Pinor Noir and the grapes are sourced from three different locations within California. Monterrey County, Sonoma County, and Santa Brabara County.

Tasting Notes:

Scents of cranberry sauce and spices.  Fruit forward flavors with tangy strawberries, pomegranate, sour cherry following up with a smokey finish.  The wine is smooth and quite tasty.

Final Thoughts:

This is a tasty wine.  When I have company come over, especially company that doesn't visit often, I like to open a good wine.  This is a wine I would open with an infrequent visitor.

Wine Tasting: 2013 Kenneth Volk Pinot Noir

This evening, a 2013 Kenneth Volk Pinot Noir.  I had three bottles of this wine.  I tasted the first one quite some time ago, but didn't record any notes. (I do remember it though)

The second bottle was given away as a gift.  Not my first choice, but he is a Pinot Noir fan and wanted a bottle and this was the only Pinot Noir I had on hand at the time.

Tasting Notes:
Ruby redish with violet hues showing a bit of youth.  Minerals, spices and a splash of red fruit on the nose.  Plum rind, florals, and allspice fill out the juicy flavors with a medium finish.  Strong acidity that requires decanting to soften.

Final Thoughts:
With some age, I believe this could can be much better.  Decanting is an absolute must.  You will be punch-drunk by the acidity if you do not.  Within 30 minutes, the wine opens and burns off the extreme acidity.

Wine Tasting: 2012 Goldeneye Anderson Valley Pinot Noir

Delicious!  Well, I'm getting ahead of myself.  Today's wine is Goldeneye's 2012 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir.

Goldeneye is Duckhorn's upper echelon wine label and as I've clearly already stated.  This wine does not disappoint.  While I haven't yet visited Duckhorn's Vineyard in California.  It is supposed to be one of the more highly rated Vineyards to visit.  Keep that in mind if you plan a visit to Napa Valley.

Tasting Notes:
Caliginously garnet in color, medium bodied with a warming alcohol level. Fruit forward with strawberry and raspberry jam on the nose and cherries, strawberries, and rose petals on the tongue. Very juicy with a long finish and a potent acidity that blends well with the progressive fruit flavors.

Final Thoughts:  I believe I've already made this obvious.  This was in delicious and well worth it's price point. ($40-$45 US)

Wine Tasting: 2014 Kukeri Pinot Noir

Back to one of my favorite California regions.  The Russian River Valley.  Today with a 2014 Kukeri Pinot Noir.

A limited production wine, only six barrels were produced. (144 cases)  It is 100% Pinot Noir and aged in 100% French oak barrels with 30% of them new oak.

Tasting Notes:
This Pinot Noir is violet in color and has aromas of black cherry with a centered floral and light citrus backing.  On the palate, impressions begin with an anemic floral overtones, but a delayed saturation of cherry and plum rind quickly increase much of the missing initial piquancy.  The texture is quite silky and smooth.  I would say slightly too much so as it's missing some needed acidity to deliver proper balance.

Final thoughts:  Good, but not great.  Though this vino is young and could definitely improve quite a bit with more time.

Wine Thoughts: 2013 Miro Pinot Noir

So, what's in my glass tonight is something I've already reviewed here. 2013 Miro Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley in Sonoma California.

Normally, I wouldn't post it again except for the fact that I have to reiterate how incredibly good this is. I'm going to use a word I never use. This Pinot Noir is "fabulous".

Very light and soft on the tongue, but it explodes with airy flavors of fruits and florals with perfect balance and acidity. In my opinion, this wine is a deal at $80, but it can be purchased for as little as $28 US.

I only know of one place that has it (you cannot get it from the winery website anymore) and selfishly, I will not share that location. Unselfishly, I will say this, if you can find a bottle (or a case) of it. I would jump all over it. It will reward you for your efforts.

Cheers!

Tasting: 2012 Michel Schlumberger Pinot Noir

I came across this wine at a local wine shop during a wine tasting.

Within a few minutes, the acidity drops to give the wine a good balance. The floral and fruit flavors make this wine quite savory with a lasting finish. I believe this would make an excellent choice for a dinner wine with the right pairing.

Tasting: 2009 Harmonique Pinot Noir, Oppenlander Vineyard

The wine is a light ruby in color. The legs are medium plus. Smells of strawberry, cranberry, and rose. The taste of cranberries comes out immediately with a mineral, pine, and straw overtones. The body is medium, with a very juicy texture. The finish is short to short plus and a small amount of acidity.

Tasting: 2013 Miro Cellars Pinot Noir, Orsi Vineyard

Beautiful ruby color with medium legs.  The wine is clear of any sediment.  I can smell cranberry, raisins, plum, and a hint of raspberry. The taste of strawberry strikes you immediately followed by raspberry and cranberry.  The body is I would say medium light.  The texture is silky and the finish is medium as is the acidity.

Decanting was not required.

I have to say, I haven't drank all that many Pinot Noir.  Of the ones I have tried.  This is by far the best.  It's wine finds like this is the reason I always buy at least two of every wine I purchase online.  I wish I had paired this tonight.