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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.2 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 32 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by jjschuster on 10/31/2020: Lamb with Mike and Hanet (1127 views) | | | Tasted by Jhb076 on 1/30/2020 & rated 91 points: Had a bottle tonight, also bought 6 from Vivino, wish I had bought a couple of cases at that price point. Had waiter be gentle on cork, no issues. Left to sit for 30 minutes. Good mature Saintsbury, old enough that the sharp edges were smoothed out. Good on nose and taste. Now need to try my 02, 09 and 12 Brown Ranches. (1569 views) | | | Tasted by Jackel on 12/3/2019 flawed bottle: Way too old (1780 views) | | | Tasted by Jackel on 11/30/2019 flawed bottle: Bought from Vivino just to try something that aged !
They should not have been allowed to sell ! Horrible (1768 views) | | | Tasted by GalenP on 11/24/2019 flawed bottle: Unfortunately this bottle was way past it’s prime. Vinegary. (1821 views) | | | Tasted by GalenP on 11/12/2019 & rated 90 points: PnP, held up nicely over a few hours of pouring from bottle.
Drink it soon but it’s still drinking we’ll now. (1260 views) | | | Tasted by HDash on 3/27/2016 & rated 94 points: Aging with grace, beginning to have that brown tinge out of the bottle of an elegant burgundy from France. Opened 60 minutes before drinking. Plum and black cherry on the nose mixed with an earthiness on the palate, and a long finish. Close my eyes and I'm riding my bicycle in Burgundy past the vineyards of Echevaux and Romanee-Conti. Too bad it was my last bottle. (4039 views) | | | Tasted by jlhkiss on 12/21/2015 & rated 93 points: This is a mature, lush Pinot drinking at peak. Opened and decanted an hour ahead of savory terrakki chicken and rice with mixed salad. Dark Crimson color with a ruby hue. Nose is complex and distinctive, bringing dark cherries, barnyard, candied raspberries, and some mushrooms, herbs, and cherry cobbler baking spices. The palate is medium, round, supple, and utterly elegant, bringing boysenberries, rhubarb pie, more dark cherries, hints of strawberries, orange peel, and a nice minty-clove nuance into the finish, which is long and juicy. Only knock on this wine is the slight heat on the tail, but it's thankfully in the backseat. Drink now over the next few years. (3856 views) | | | Tasted by HDash on 5/31/2015 & rated 95 points: This bottle has been sitting in my cellar since it was released. Opened 90 minutes before drinking. Powerful on the nose, dark burgundy in color, bursts on the palate with cassis and black cherry, mushroom and earth. Lingers with spice, then a smooth long finish. It is a heavy, big pinot noir. In a blind tasting one might think it came from a high end vineyard in the Cote de Beaune. (4293 views) | | | Tasted by Iceman611 on 8/27/2014 & rated 94 points: Great wine. Definitely a top pinot. (4713 views) | | | Tasted by gwkozar on 11/20/2013 & rated 91 points: Drank at wine dinner next to 2009 Ojai Bien Naciado Pinot Noir. Pop. not much nose to start. Good weight. Low acidity for a pinot, some creaminess compared to Ojai. Started to develop after 60 minutes. (5106 views) | | | Tasted by RobertDwyer on 11/17/2013 flawed bottle: I bought 4 bottles of this one closeout from a retailer in Massachusetts for $20/btl. Seemed like a good deal based on the notes here and the community average value. However, after tasting through them I can see why they were on closeout. Inert nose and it falls completely flat on the palate. No TCA taint whatsoever but the wine is *not* right.
Bottles of garden variety Saintsbury Carneros I've tried have soared above this in quality so I have to question the batch I bought from. Not impressed. Beware. (2553 views) | | | Tasted by Iceman611 on 3/28/2013 & rated 94 points: Some additional prune like notes that really got my attention on the second bottle. (2752 views) | | | Tasted by Iceman611 on 3/20/2013 & rated 93 points: Prickly acidity on the tip of the tongue. Bourbon soaked cherries and some oak. Deep for a Pinot - a little reminiscent of a merlot. Not overly fruity but very delicious. (2625 views) | | | Tasted by thunderbyrd on 4/27/2012: tasted at the winery and this one stood out for its balance and flavors. initially slightly astringent (as noted by smphelps) but develops nicely over 3-4hrs with various foods (brie & fresh bread, grilled tri-tip w/ cocoa rub -- really nice w/ strawberry notes, a pairing devised by my wife) (2623 views) | | | Tasted by Clwescott on 3/12/2012: Light. Lush fruit. Small tannins (2355 views) | | | Tasted by smphelps on 11/20/2011 & rated 89 points: Tasted second day open; a scarlet red. Spice, tea, strawberry aromas a bit on the reserved side. Feminine in style, but a touch astringent showing more cranberry than strawberry mid palate interspersed with a taste of cherry. Very reserved tannins; but nevertheless a bit abrupt on the finish. Hard to predict where this goes. (2382 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| Saintsbury Producer websitePinot 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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