Pinot Noir Tasting

We did another blind tasting with some friends over cheese and crackers.

This time: Pinot Noir

#1-- La Crema 2008 -- Lots of berry flavors. Young. Will be nice in a couple more years. We've never met a La Crema we didn't like. Never. Ever. This one is promising and looks to be up to their usual excellent standards.

#2 -- Coppola 2008 -- Young. No nose. But lots of full berry flavors. This was the favorite and the first emptied.

#3 --Isley Valley 2008 -- Blah. No one thought much of it.

Random Notes

I have not been faithful about posting as often as I should to get these thoughts down while they're still fresh.
So I'm left with some random notes I made.
Here are a few:
Redwood Canyon Chardonnay - I am a Chardonnay lover, so you have to keep that in mind. This had a strong citrus finish and I prefer citrus in my Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. I like my Chardonnays buttery and oaky.
I looked for a link and it appears Redwood Canyon is the unacknowledged half-sibling from Frei Brothers. I'd skip this one and the only other mention I found online agreed with me. Strongly.

Page Hill Cabernet Sauvignon - This must also be some big winery's illegitamate offspring because I can't find any information. I do tend to buy cheap wines and that's probably why. I felt this one was a bit thin on the palate, but it had rich berry flavors. It really came alive when it was paired with red meat. Wine Snob Hubby loved it and he wants to buy more, but since we don't remember where we got it and can't find any info online, I guess we're out of luck.

Villa Sonia Pinot Grigio - I found it crisp and refreshing but again, I can't find where to buy it or where it came from. I buy most of my cheap wine at Trader Joes, so that's a likely place to look for it again.

Sauvignon Blanc Tasting

While having appetizers with friends recently, Wine Snob Friend Tom pulled out three Sauvignon Blancs and we did a tasting. All three were New Zealand wines. The tasting was blind.

The comments are from all of us.

#1 -- Pidgin Bay, 2009. I liked this one a lot. It had a sparkly beginning on the tongue, almost like a sparkling wine or Champagne. Strong citrus notes on the finish. (This is what I wrote down but I can't find a link or any winery in NZ named Pidgin Bay, so either I wrote it down wrong or I'm keeping the buying info to myself).

#2 --King Shag. No one cared much for this one. It had little flavor, little interest, and was met with shrugs.

#3 -- Kim Crawford, Marlborough New Zealand. Very nice. Almost the opposite of the Pidgin Bay. With the Crawford, the citrus flavors were up front and the sparkling texture was saved for the finish.

WSFT (Wine Snob Friend Tom) commented about a really nice New Zealand wine he'd been told about. Cloudy Bay. He did not offer us any. He did not offer to find it for us. He merely teased with it. I'll keep a look out for it and try to get a bottle to taste.

Salmon and Pinot Noir

Okay, I can't talk about the salmon because it's part of a supersecret throwdown.

But.

I was in Total Wine a few weeks ago, browsing the Pinot Noirs for something to go with salmon. I was really hoping a bottle would jump off the shelf into my basket and announce, "Ta Da! I'm the one you're looking for!"

Alas.

Finally, an employee happened narby and asked if he could help. I told him what I wanted and he grabbed a bottle.

"Here. I was coming to get one to take home. We're having salmon tonight and the price just dropped $4 on this."

He handed me Maple Ridge Pinot Noir.

That was good enough for me.

We had it a few days ago.

I tasted berries.

I thought it went wonderfully with the salmon. I tried a swallow after salad and side dishes and it was a bit dry and harsh on the sides of my tongue. But with the salmon, it simply melted.

Very nice.

Edging Out the Favorite?

I ventured in Total Wine by myself last week. I knew I wanted a couple bottles of my current fave, the Pacific Rim Dry Riesling. But I got sidetracked and decided to try a new one.

I chose Chateau Ste. Michelle's Dry Riesling.

I brought it home and Wine Snob Hubby said he'd just read an article about how well dry Riesling goes with blue cheese. We had a tub of crumbles, so we popped the cork and cracked the tub and sat at the table.

At the first sip, I thought, This is going to be good. I tasted citrus with a bare hint of honey on the finish.

The cheese softened the citrus and made the wine spread across my tongue more softly.

As we sipped and chatted and tasted, WSH commented that we've had a few wines from Ste. Michelle before and they haven't disappointed. I took that to mean he approved also and we should look for the appellation a little more often in our shopping excursions.

I concur on that conclusion.

Summer Wines, Part 2

In my quest to find a good summer red to recommend, I've talked with many wine snob friends and there is no consensus, so I think the answer is there isn't one.

Most everyone ended up recommending either a light blend or a blush.

Birdstone Winery had an outstanding Grenache a few years ago, but even though I regularly ask for it and they keep saying it's coming back, sadly, it has yet to make an appearance.

The Menage a Trois wines are exellent blends and the blush is light but fruity, perfect for a summer salad.

The first wine I ever really enjoyed was Beringer's White Zinfandel. The strawberry and other fruit flavors combined with the light crispness on the tongue made it the perfect "gateway" wine into learning how to discern flavors. While I've since expanded my palate somewhat, there are days, particularly in July and August when the only that really appeals to me is a Beringer's White Zin. It's reliable and consistent. I know what I'm getting when we uncork the bottle.

I hope you enjoy!

Summer Reds

Since I'm not a big red wine drinker, I've been taking a survey of friends and dining companions for suggestions for a light "summer" red wine.

We had some salmon a few nights ago and friends brought the wine. One was a Waltzing Bear Wines, Gary's Vineyard Pinot Noir. It had some yummy berry flavors with a light and dry finish.

The wine went nicely with the salmon and it was generally agreed that the wine met the requirements for a summer quaff.

Enjoy!