Means again when, as soon as I began receiving pattern bottles of wine to overview, I made a easy vow: I might try to consider each bottle I acquired. On the time, it didn’t appear to be that huge of a deal since I might obtain possibly ten bottles a month.
The month-to-month whole is significantly greater lately, however I’ve tried to remain true to that vow, which could be a little attempting. Over the previous few weeks, earlier than I head to Oregon for the remainder of the month, I’ve made a push to get someplace near “caught up” with my samples (I’m about three and a half months behind at this level).
There may be an extra difficulty: typically suppliers ship two bottles of the identical wine (primarily, it’s despatched in case the primary bottle is flawed ultimately). I additionally attempt to style these second bottles in addition to wine can clearly change over time and even be completely different bottle to bottle.
Lots of these second bottles come from the three annual tastings I do: American True Rosé within the Spring, American Pinot Noir within the late Fall, and American Glowing Wine in December.
Listed here are a number of of these “additional” bottles of Pinot I’ve amassed, going way back to 2018 and the First Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir.
2018 Brooks Pinot Noir Crimson Letter, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $80. Beneath DIAM 10. I first tasted this a few 12 months in the past for the Fifth Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir, and I completely beloved it (95 Factors). Right this moment, I grabbed the second bottle that the vineyard graciously despatched and it was equally fabulous, with related notes: “That is fairly shy, however holy cow, that is implausible. Delicate fruit, however unbelievable steadiness with rose petal, tart cherry, cranberry, delicate. The palate is harmonious and beautiful, holy cow.” Excellent. 94 Factors.
2016 Denison Cellars Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $26. Beneath screw cap. Accountable bottle. It is a hold-over from my First Annual World’s Largest Blind Tasting of American Pinot noir. I preferred it means again then in 2018, however I feel I prefer it extra now. Medium to darkish in coloration with a grimy black cherry nostril (it makes me consider there was at the very least a little bit of complete cluster fermentation right here). The palate is fruity, tart, and balanced. It isn’t essentially the most introspective wine I’ve had, however it’s fairly implausible. Wonderful. 91 Factors.
2018 Division Winemaking Firm Pinot Noir Division-Villages, “Méthode Carbonique”, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $25. Beneath DIAM3. I initially had this a whopping 4 years in the past as a part of the 4th Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir and I preferred it lots (90 pts). Now? nearly a full three years later? Yeah, this nonetheless has it occurring, however it’s important to respect the carbonic maceration side, which is just about synonymous with Beaujolais. Regardless that that is Pinot Noir and GAmay is the grape in Beaujolais, there are similarities. Most notable is the bubblegum aromas and flavors which whereas removed from off-putting, could be a bit “odd” to some. Previous that, there’s earth, fruit, and even a dose of verve. I actually respect what Division has finished right here and want that extra winemakers would push the envelope even when simply barely. Wonderful. 90 Factors.
2019 La Follette Pinot Noir Solar Chase Winery, Sonoma County, CA: Retail $65. I first tasted this for my “Fifth Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir” and I completely beloved it then: “Vibrant Bing cherry with only a contact of earth and the palate is totally implausible. Holy cow. Great fruit, nice steadiness, appreciable depth. 96 factors.” Now? I nonetheless prefer it a ton, however maybe not as a lot as I did almost a 12 months in the past. Nonetheless all that fruit, the earth, and steadiness. I nonetheless actually love this wine, simply not fairly as a lot as I did. Wonderful. 92 Factors.
2017 Domaine Roy & Fils Pinot Noir Incline Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $75. Large Ass Bottle. Beneath cork. I acquired two bottles of this wine for the 2nd Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir and I assumed it was a bit funky on the time. And? Properly? Yeah, there’s undoubtedly some Brett occurring right here. Now, I like, even love, me some Brett once in a while when it appears to work (learn: Santenay) however right here, even 4 years later? Ummmm. Pretty mild within the glass, very “Pinot-esque” with crimson berry fruit that’s muted by…funk. Loads of funk, the truth is. And whereas I’m a fan/don’t thoughts Brett sparsely, this wine has it in spades. And hearts. And golf equipment. The palate exhibits much less of the Brett affect and has nice tartness and even a contact of verve. However it’s actually tought getting previous the Brett right here. Very Good. 89 Factors.
2016 Van Duzer Pinot Noir Homestead Block, Willamette Valley, OR: Retail $60. I first tasted this almost three years in the past for the 2nd Annual Blind Tasting of American Pinot Noir. I preferred it then (90 factors) and I prefer it now. However. Then I wrote: “Darker fruit right here, with some spice as is the palate, may use a touch of acid, however that is very good.” I keep that the acid is a bit missing right here, however the fruit is greater than a bit lighter with black and vivid cherry together with some spice and earth on the nostril. The palate is lighter than I bear in mind, extra Pinot-like, even. So whereas the flavour profile has shifted, albeit barely, my evaluation of the wine, total, has not modified all that a lot. Wonderful. 90 Factors.
