Joseph Bembry
Wine Lover
Posts:4875
 | | 11/17/2002 12:47 AM |
| A lot has been written about this wine on other forums. WS loves it (93) and WA doesn't (not recommended, "hard, baked plum flavored") Many WS forum members agreed with both camps. Some hating it and some loving it. Here's my take:
Wine was opened for 3.5 hours with one glass of wine removed from the bottle, but not tasted. Tasted from Riedel Sommelier Burgundy Grand Cru stems.
Wine is a dark red and fairly clear. Nose is fairly penetrating with black cherry and dried herbs. Medium bodied Pinot with nice sweet cherry, and yes, I can taste plummy and jamminess in this wine. I happen to like that part. Well integrated sweet tannin filled finish. Not a very feminine Pinot, but still showing plenty of Pinot characteristics. jb Rating 89.
I think the truth (at least my truth) lies somewhere between the 2 publications' viewpoints. I don't think this wine will ever be a 93 pt'er, but it is recommended. Just not for what I paid ($45) QPR C-
jb | | | |
|
ojeffso
warren, new jersey
Wine Lover
Posts:4877
| | 11/17/2002 2:07 AM |
| | jb-other than a few oregon pinot noirs, i have had a real problem warming up to them. many times good to very good, but rarely outstanding. on a qpr level i find most lacking. | | | |
|
Joseph Bembry
Wine Lover
Posts:4875
| | 11/17/2002 3:15 AM |
| I have to agree with you ( and Board-O & Jones). I find CA Pinots, in general, far superior in both a quality and QPR standpoint. Some that I find to be good QPR are Cristom and Bethel Heights. I just bought a bottle of St. Innocent Shea, so I have yet to try that Parker fave. At $30, if it delivers the goods, it may be a winner.
jb | | | |
|
Pool Boy
Laurl, MD (DC suburb)
Master of Wine
Posts:13711
| | 12/02/2002 4:54 PM |
| | Any suggestions for really good, but still accessible (not necessarily cheap) CA PN???? | |
www.roguefood.com -- www.cellartracker.com | |
|
ojeffso
warren, new jersey
Wine Lover
Posts:4877
| | 12/02/2002 5:14 PM |
| | tj-try the 2001 mellville estate pn. it may be bought from the wine library for $21.99 a bottle. they also sdip to dc. you will save on the taxes. | | | |
|
Eric White
San Ramon, CA
Advanced Sommelier
Posts:9249
| | 12/02/2002 5:33 PM |
| I've said it before, but it's worth saying again. Get on Brian Loring's mailing list, you won't be sorry.
Loring Wine Company | | | |
|
kimber
Grape Fermenter
Posts:671
| | 12/04/2002 1:29 AM |
| Eric,
Appreciate the tip. I received the LWC mailer today -- a very entertaining read.
Knowing that the 10% discount ends this month, I think I'll go with 2 bottles of Garys, 2 bottles of Clos Pepe and the sampler pack.
Thanks! | | | |
|
Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10799
| | 12/05/2002 3:58 PM |
| | I thought this was very average - barely 89 points. It would be fine if it was sub $25 but as JB says it falls down on QPR. | | | |
|
ojeffso
warren, new jersey
Wine Lover
Posts:4877
| | 12/05/2002 4:37 PM |
| | winetex-hmmm. 89 for me is very good, almost excellent, not average. | | | |
|
Joseph Bembry
Wine Lover
Posts:4875
| | 12/05/2002 4:48 PM |
| To reiterate, I thought this wine was very good, just shy of excellent and below average QPR at $45.
jb | | | |
|
Winetex
Austin, Texas
Master of Wine
Posts:10799
| | 12/05/2002 4:52 PM |
| Good point Ojeffso - to clarify it was average with respect to many of the Pinots I've tried (not to my personal taste) but was a good wine overall. Maybe it's too early for me to be talking about wine after the tasting I went to last night. | | | |
|
Blair Ridley
Wine Labeler
Posts:3980
| | 12/05/2002 4:57 PM |
| I think you're both onto something here. When I have time, I'm going to open a new thread about wine ratings and what's considered average.
In short, if 99% of the wines we drink are 80 points are higher, wouldn't 90 be 'about average'? | | | |
|
JR Harris
Grape Stomper
Posts:129
| | 12/05/2002 10:23 PM |
| | I was glad to see your notes. Does anyone have any experience with any of their other vintages? I am going to a special tasting on Sunday of every vintage of this wine (93 - 99). Price was $80 and includes appetizers matched to each wine and a winery rep is pouring. They are also supposed to be bringing along a few other wines from their library for us to try. | | | |
|