External search
Google (images)
Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator
Burghound
Wine-Searcher
Vintages
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
From this producer
Show all wines
All tasting notes
|
| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 90.7 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 21 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by PIntag on 1/29/2022 flawed bottle: This 2nd bottle from the auction purchase was not drinkable. Was bitter, sour, and dirty on the pop 'n pour and after airing overnight was not much better. (439 views) | | | Tasted by Racer117 on 1/24/2022 & rated 90 points: Also a recent auction purchase. I enjoyed this. Fuller bodied PN that is in its twilight but there is still some fruit here (dark cherry and plum) to go with the solid structure (some tannins, cola, and brown sugar). I'm guessing this will soon go from aged to old so drink up. (477 views) | | | Tasted by PIntag on 12/27/2021: 13.7% abv. Recent auction purchase.
A little reductive on the pop 'n pour, and the aromas and flavors were a little unpleasant, so left it stoppered overnight. This cleared things up quite a bit.
A little cloudy, which doesn't bother me at all and actually improves the mouthfeel for me in many cases, as I like the textural mouthfeel that this often gives and was so in this case as well.
This looked and tasted "mature" - not really in a good way. Don't know what this tasted like in its youth, but I suspect it was better, as this was a touch sour and bitter. I'd imagine that this flavor profile character was not that noticeable with more youthful fruit present. Not terrible, but I chalk this up as a Cali Pinot that was just not meant to age. If scoring, 84 - 85. (470 views) | | | Tasted by UpfromtheCellar on 11/21/2014 & rated 88 points: A savory fruity smokey version of an overthetop C-noir but with just (just) enough acids left to keep it lively and somewhat interesting. Medium bodied, interesting finish.
At 7 years old this wine is not going to get any better so suggest you drink up now. (2476 views) | | | Tasted by Malibu wino on 4/19/2014 & rated 92 points: Ridiculously good wine for the money. (2643 views) | | | Tasted by fmoehl@yahoo.com on 1/17/2013: great wine, loved it (3036 views) | | | Tasted by Vinovelo on 12/30/2012 & rated 92 points: Decanted but sipped immediately. First taste was quite good. After 10 minutes balanced complexity and depth appeared. Far better than the first bottle a couple of weeks ago. (2955 views) | | | Tasted by landa73 on 12/25/2012 & rated 91 points: Amazing pinot. Cedar and pencil with red fruit on the nose. Strawberry with touch of earth and slight tannin. Excellent. (3073 views) | | | Tasted by sellerscellar on 12/11/2012 & rated 91 points: Last bottle must have been a bit off, but it was a PNP. This bottle however was decanted about 1+ hours before drinking. That made all the difference in the world. Nice, fruit-forward, new world style. Fresh and tart red fruit. This still has quite a bit of life left in it. Drink or hold for another 2+ years. (1298 views) | | | Tasted by SMZ on 9/20/2012 & rated 93 points: My last bottle....wish I had bought more; beautiful wine (1186 views) | | | Tasted by SMZ on 4/10/2012 & rated 92 points: Beautifully crafted... Same as prior notes; this wine made the Wall Street Journal super dozen wines of the year .... Too bad I didn't buy a case. (1048 views) | | | Tasted by SMZ on 2/12/2012 & rated 92 points: Georgeous nose with vanilla notes; this wine was vibrant and full of life...extremely flavorful (777 views) | | | Tasted by air guitar & pinot noir on 12/25/2010 & rated 91 points: Fresh and sappy still with wild berry aromas and flavors. Cherry, plum and lavendar scents as well with complex and rich aromas and flavors. Fleshy and supple with an extended finish. Juicy without being simplistic. Some earthiness and savory notes in addition to the juicy fruit. Nice contrasts and balance overall. (981 views) | | | Tasted by rjonwine@gmail.com on 6/27/2010 & rated 88 points: 2010 Pinot Days Grand Tasting (plus trade tasting); 6/25/2010-6/27/2010 (Fort Mason, San Francisco, California): Earthy, black fruit, charcoal nose; earthy, black fruit, charcoal palate; medium finish (3366 views) | | | Tasted by air guitar & pinot noir on 9/24/2009 & rated 91 points: Medium to dark garnet. Extremely aromatic, almost floral or perfume on the nose. Very elegant and stylish. Subdued dried currant, earth and mushroom. Very sweet and savory and complex. Darke berry fruit on the finish. (963 views) |
| By Allen Meadows
Burghound, January 2011, Issue #41
(Sand Hill Wines Pinot Noir - Durell Vineyard Villages Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (6/27/2010)
(Sand Hill Pinot Noir Durell Vineyard) Earthy, black fruit, charcoal nose; earthy, black fruit, charcoal palate; medium finish 88 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Burghound and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| 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.Durell VineyardOriginally planted in 1979 by Ed Durell, this famous vineyard is located in the southwestern foothills of the Sonoma Valley, north of the San Pablo Bay and east of the Petaluma Wind Gap. The site is characterized partly by its Region II climate, where conditions are moderated by the Bay and the Pacific Ocean effects, making it ideal for cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. The rocky, volcanic soils at Durell Vineyard create a challenging environment for the vines’ root system, yielding very small grape clusters that have tremendous concentration and power.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 Sonoma CountyMendocino CountySonoma ValleySonoma County, California, is one of the most important winegrowing regions in the whole of the United States. Vines have been planted here since the 1850s and, apart from the inevitable hiatus brought about by Prohibition, the county's relationship with wine has been prolific and unbroken.
Viticulturally speaking, Sonoma County is divided into three distinct sections: Sonoma Valley, Northern Sonoma and Sonoma Coast. Each of these has its own AVA title and encompasses several sub-AVAs within its boundaries. |
|
