Neat Thoughts About Food, Wine, Travel & More
I had the privilege of sampling eight Domaine Tortochot wines at a recent event and was wowed by all of them. This wine is the ‘entry level’ wine for this producer and it’s delicious.
In the glass is purple in color pushing me for that first sniff. Beautiful fruity nose and aromas finishing with slightly spicy notes. Really nice lighter-bodied Grand Vin de Bourgogne.
Pairings: Grilled chicken or duck. Seared tuna.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $40
I felt fortunate to sample this outstanding Pinot Noir at a local wine tasting last week. Just everything I love about this varietal: Beautiful purple in the glass, noseful of cherries and rich yet bright flavors of ripe cherries, raspberries and wild strawberries.
This fruit forward French Pinot Noir is silky, elegant and just super.
Pairings: Roasted turkey, grilled chicken or duck and pork.
Style: Red
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $45.
I simply love this wine. It’s not easy to come by in New Jersey, where I live, but when I’ve been able to secure a few bottles, I’ve enjoyed it tremendously.
The 2006 Tantara Bien Nacido Adobe Pinot Noir is dark ruby in the glass and pretty full-bodied for a California pinot noir. On the nose, there’s a ton of dark raspberries with notes of nutmeg and clove. On the palate, it’s all about ripe cherries with lots of earthiness, cherry cola, allspice and notes of mocha. The finish is long and silky/velvety. Just a perfect wine paired with roast chicken, wild mushroom risotto or grilled salmon.
Tantara Winery is a smaller producer and only about 200 cases of this little gem were produced, so get your hands on a bottle and enjoy. Read about my love of Tantara here.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Central Coast, CA
Around $50
I have had the opportunity to visit Merry Edwards’ beautiful vineyard and tasting room and can say she makes some of my favorite pinot noirs. At a recent dinner party, I served the 2007 Merry Edwards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir to the pleasure of my guests.
This wine is dark ruby in the glass. On the nose, it’s pure Russian River pinot noir – ripe, dark berries with layers of earthiness and peppery notes. On the palate, it’s rich, velvety with tons of juicy cherries. The finish is long, elegant and silky.
If you don’t want to splurge on one of Merry’s single vineyard wines, this is an amazing wine at this price point.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Russian River Valley / Sonoma, CA
Around $45
The Ingle Vineyard Pinot Noir is pale in the glass but medium-bodied and bright with juicy berries and cherries on the palate. There’s a silky mouthfeel to this wine and there are notes of fir, pumpkin pie spice and cracked pepper. Classic Burgundy in style and delicious at this price point.
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Finger Lakes, NY
Around $20
Vibrant purple in the glass (like it already). There’s a little smoke on the intense ripe fruit nose (like it even more). On the palate, it’s a mouthful of cherries with a medium body that offers a long sweet finish (love it).
Style: Red Wine
Grape Type(s): Pinot Noir
Region: Burgundy, France
Around $25
I had the pleasure of sampling several Jacob’s Creek Reserve wines at a recent tasting and the 2009 Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir was among them.
I’m a huge fan of Pinot Noirs and enjoy Australian Pinots so was looking forward to trying this one.
In the glass, the wine is ruby and appears to be of medium weight.
On the nose, it’s typical Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir – bright cherry, ripe strawberry with notes of oak. A bouquet that’s right up my alley.
On the palate, this Australian Pinot Noir is lively with ripe berries, touches of clove and nutmeg with oaky notes. Light tannins are displayed on the long finish.
An affordable addition to one’s cellar.
Around $13.
Loving a big mouthful of ripe cherries with velvety feel and a smooth finish, I’m naturally a huge fan of Pinot Noir. The 2010 Brancott Marlborough Pinot Noir is not that kind of Pinot. What it is, is a bright, light-bodied Pinot Noir showing pleasantly tart raspberries with a slightly smoky finish. Do I enjoy this type of Pinot Noir from New Zealand? Yes – with a roasted chicken sitting on my deck on a warm summer night!
This Marlborough New Zealand wine is a dark strawberry color in the glass with tons of brightness and fragrant rose aromas.
A Pinot Noir for summer.
Around $10.
This Pinot Noir from Marlborough, New Zealand’s most acclaimed winemaking region, is a dark garnet color in the glass and offers a slightly spicy, stone fruits and ripe cherries nose. In the mouth, I get tons of juicy, ripe dark raspberries and currents.
I served this affordable and approachable wine at my 4th of July party and it paired well with many of the dishes I was serving from blue cheese-topped sirloin burgers to sharp cheddar macaroni and cheese.
From around $14.
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