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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Drinking window: Drink between 2010 and 2012 (based on 38 user opinions) |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 86.7 pts. and median of 87 pts. in 23 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Travishenry on 6/2/2012: Perfumy, not much left in it from 2005, but very drinkable. (2576 views) | | | Tasted by vin0vin0 on 5/6/2012 & rated 90 points: Extremely nice Carneros Pinot. Well balanced with red and dark cherries but not overly fruity. (2506 views) | | | Tasted by bpobric on 12/10/2011 & rated 87 points: Green peppers on the nose. Other vegetables like eggplant ad onion...not good nose. Taste confirms Vegas,some fruit...I think this win either past it's tie or was picked up to late. Drinkable bit not extremely enjoyable (2882 views) | | | Tasted by jmunoz on 5/4/2010: For those still holding on to this wine, I would agree that it should be consumed this year. At first opening it was a good drink: well balanced fruit with a peppery finish. By day 2 it was losing some of its drinkability (good fruit taste dwindling and acidity on the rise); and tonight, day 3, mostly acidic. Which tells me drink it now and at one meal. (3038 views) | | | Tasted by singletrack on 12/27/2009 & rated 88 points: Tart strawberry flavors. Simple and pleasant. (2973 views) | | | Tasted by Markshawphotos on 9/20/2009 & rated 86 points: simple, light, would not re-purchase (1658 views) | | | Tasted by Tim Heaton on 9/19/2009: Pop n pour. Simple, medium-bodied effort with mediocre fruit, low acidity, no real complexity and very little depth or breadth. 13,5% abv, approx $21, drink now. Would have been a fair value at $11. (1793 views) | | | Tasted by wine a lot on 3/23/2009 & rated 88 points: very good. a little spicy at the end, great fruit taste. well balanced and complex for this price point. (1865 views) | | | Tasted by rickspicks on 10/12/2008 & rated 88 points: Have had several bottles with consistent notes. This bottle tasted much richer, fruitier and more concentrated than any of the prior bottles. While the flavors were the same (dark fruit, spice and some earth), the flavor intensity was much better and carried thru the mid-palate. Relatively short finish with good balance. Overall a very good wine for < $20. (1976 views) | | | Tasted by rickspicks on 7/30/2008 & rated 87 points: Ruby color with a decent nose of dark fruit and strawberry. Wine was medium to light bodied, and had a somewhat thin mouthfeel. Initial impression of complex fruity, herbal and earthy flavors faded in the mid-palate and finish. Somewhat drying tannins and a slightly acidic finish. What is there is enjoyable, but I wish there was more of it. (1828 views) | | | Tasted by *Vine* on 7/26/2008 & rated 87 points: Popped and poured. Medium plus ruby in glass. Initially, the nose was very restrained, however, after an additional 45 minutes some bright fruit started to emerge......fresh raspberries, strawberries, herbs, red licorice, a floral note and alcohol. Medium body, very silky with flavors mirroring those on the nose plus a touch of forest floor and sandalwood. Some heat too. Nice finish. Great sub-$20 Pinot. (2280 views) | | | Tasted by EMichels on 6/7/2008 & rated 83 points: Red Carpet Wine Pinot Palooza: Simple; Sweet (3089 views) | | | Tasted by gsglen on 2/10/2008: Nice nose with lots of fruit and depth. The depth of the fruit didn't translate to taste and I thought it was somewhat thin, though nicely balanced. The finish was short as well, though certainly not offensive. I liked this bottle more than my first. Overall, the beutiful aromas that I got after stuffing my nose in the glass were not carried through to taste, but not at all a bad wine. (2075 views) | | | Tasted by Nutty08 on 9/15/2007: Had out with Steve and Jay. Allergies were acting up a bit and writing the morning after, so I won't put a score. Nice floral nose, soft palate with some fruit up front. Medium finish, good complexity overall. A solid Caneros Pinot Noir. 86-90 range. (2293 views) | | | Tasted by jmoskow on 8/19/2007 & rated 89 points: Berry and a bit of spice. The alcohol is nicely controlled. (2328 views) | | | Tasted by gsglen on 7/26/2007 & rated 86 points: Not as impressed with this bottle as I thought I would be. It had nice fruit and was well balanced, yet there just didn't seem to be much depth to it. Nice note of berry and a velvety smoothness like I expect in PN, just not enough oomph. (2287 views) | | | Tasted by peternelson on 7/14/2007 & rated 90 points: Pinot Palooza: Beaut. bal. nose of frt & swt spice & candy; wonderful, bal & supple t’s, med. bod, easy and accessible; afterEstate, it’s more simple finish, and liter. (922 views) | | | Tasted by vinole on 3/24/2007 & rated 89 points: Crown Tasting (Boca Raton, FL): Medium body with solid dark fruit and nice balancing acidity. Medium length finish and nice depth. A good pinot at this price. (3300 views) |
| Bouchaine Producer Website
Bouchaine is the oldest continuously operating winery in the Carneros District – a winery that began making wine long before the region earned its reputation for producing the great Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays of Carneros today. In fact, the roots of Bouchaine go back to a previous era – a glorious time for wine in the Napa Valley, long before Prohibition.
The land was first owned by a Missouri native with the rather remarkable name of Boon Fly. Fly grew grapes and fruit trees on the property in the late 1880s. A treasured auction flier from May 14, 1887 advertises the sale of some of the 900 acres of the Fly property. In touting the land’s promise for grape growing, it notes that a buyer could plant a vineyard for the modest sum of under $40 an acre.
In 1929, an Italian winemaker named Johnny Garetto purchased the parcel that is today’s Bouchaine. Beringer Winery subsequently bought the estate from Garetto in 1951 and used it as a storage and blending facility until 1981, when a partnership that included the current owners, Gerret and Tatiana Copeland, purchased the winery and surrounding vineyards. At the time, only a few winemaking pioneers realized the potential for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Carneros. And by appearance, this muddy Carneros property, with its derelict aging-cellars and its ramshackle sheds, hardly inspired optimism. In 1991 a major renovation began and the winery was completely rebuilt from top to bottom. Old redwood tanks were deconstructed and re-milled as exterior siding for the winery and offices, while a broad green roof finished the elegant but rustic look. At the same time, the estate vineyards were almost entirely replanted due to damage caused by phylloxera. This allowed the winery to choose a broad spectrum of rootstocks and clones, giving the winemaker a wonderful palette from which to create his wines.
In 1995, additional vineyard property adjoining the winery was purchased, giving Bouchaine more than 100 acres of estate vineyards in Carneros. Famed winery executive and winemaker Michael Richmond also joined Bouchaine as winemaker in 2002. His approach focuses on the grapes themselves, carefully blending the various vineyard blocks to create wines that capture the elegance of Burgundy and the exuberance of Napa.
For the past 27 years, the walls of Bouchaine have witnessed the remarkable development of the Carneros District, from an unknown rustic region of farmland to America’s leading producer of Burgundian varietals.Pinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa / SonomaSONOMA: The Yorkville Highlands AVA, approved in 1998, is located in the southwestern corner of Mendocino County, between Sonoma County's Alexander Valley to the South and Mendocino County!s Anderson Valley to the North. The region is 25 miles long, roughly in the shape of rectangle and bisected by Highway 128 which runs the length of the AVA. The region!s terrain is hilly and forested, with elevations ranging from 1,078 to 2,442 feet above sea level.
The distinguishing features of the Yorkville Highlands AVA are rocky soils with a high gravel content and the climate, which is cooler than Alexander Valley but warmer than Anderson Valley, and significantly cooler at night than the surrounding areas.CarnerosStraddles the southern ends of Napa & Sonoma Counties. |
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