CellarTracker!™

Search: (advanced)


External search
Google (images)
Wine Advocate
Wine Spectator
Burghound
Wine-Searcher

Vintages
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
Show more

From this producer
Show all wines
All tasting notes
  Home | All Cellars | Tasting Notes | Reports | UsersHelp | Member Sign In 
  >> USE THE NEW CELLARTRACKER <<


 Vintage2011 Label 1 of 31 
TypeRed
ProducerBalletto Vineyards (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
Vineyardn/a
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionSonoma County
AppellationRussian River Valley
UPC Code(s)826498091159

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2014 and 2016 (based on 5 user opinions)

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 87.8 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 15 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by elevwine on 12/11/2015 & rated 89 points: Beautiful ruby color. Bright red fruit flavors (primarily strawberry) and a hint of citrus (maybe my take on the cola others comment on). Sharp acidity. Moderate complexity, limited depth. (982 views)
 Tasted by travelme on 3/8/2014 & rated 88 points: Nice ruby red in color. Popped and poured through a Vinturi. A nice straight forward Pinot Noir. The nose was vibrant with cherry, cola, and a hint of spice. As another poster noted, nothing much too complex but a pleasant pinot nonetheless. The palate was pleasant with cola, strawberry, and cherry notes. It had a nice acidity. Light body with a nice finish and length. Highly recommended and drink now if you have a bunch. Not sure age will do anything to this wine/vintage combination but extremely good QPR for what I paid ($13) per bottle. I have had $40 pinots not be any better than this one so I was extremely pleased. My first Balletto and hopefully not my last. (1525 views)
 Tasted by IlonaN on 3/5/2014 & rated 85 points: Perfectly correct but simple pinot noir, less interesting than most Russian River PN's, dominated by cherry pie aromas and cherry cola on the palate. I didin't detect anyting that would argue for further cellaring or wishful thinking as to complexity.
Drink now. (1314 views)
 Tasted by AWineFan on 3/4/2014 & rated 90 points: A nice straight forward Pinot Noir. Not complex but very enjoyable. The nose is classic black cherries and cola. The palate is fresh with vibrant acidity. Light to medium body. Good length. (1391 views)
 Tasted by MRichman on 7/6/2013: Nice bright smooth pinot. Cola and red cherry flavors dominate. Yummy and easy to drink, light weight. Pleasant and I'd buy it again for $24.
B- (1538 views)
 Tasted by Wineonthevine on 4/17/2013 & rated 90 points: Tried on the second night of bottle being open. Blackberry nose with hint of tobacco. Bright cherry flavors, with some chocolate notes. Mature Pinot with bright flavors. Enjoyable with or without edibles. Might age for a few years but would not hold it for more than a few years. Drinking well now. Hold or drink--your choice. (1313 views)
 Tasted by Fur in the glass on 4/12/2013: Slightly silky quality (648 views)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Balletto Vineyards

Producer website

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.

USA

American 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.

California

2021 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 County

Mendocino County

Russian River Valley

Russian River Valley Winegrowers Association | Wikipedia

 
© 2003-24 CellarTracker! LLC. All rights reserved. "CellarTracker!" is a trademark of CellarTracker! LLC. No part of this website may be used, reproduced or distributed without the prior written permission of CellarTracker! LLC. (Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.) - Follow us on Twitter and on Facebook