VLG Does Pinot Blind ... No Parameters

Fun to taste a bunch of wines with no idea what, where or when other than they were supposed to be Pinot Noir. It was a nice surprise that the top wines were from New York and Humbolt County.

• 2004 Varner Pinot Noir Spring Ridge Vineyard Hidden Block

  USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

  Tasted Blind
  The last time I had this wine in 2006 it was outstanding. I did think it would develop better. Still it is very young. There is a a lot of tartness going on. I enjoyed this but there was not the complexity or intrigue I would have like to find.

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• 2008 Briceland Vineyards Pinot Noir Phelps Vineyard

  USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County

  Served blind.
  Hey! Tannin. Must not be from California. Earthy elements. Nice balance. Showing potential.

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• 2005 Black Ridge Pinot Noir

  New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago

  Served blind.
  This was right up my alley when I tasted it in 2008. At this stage there is a little too much grapefruit sticking out. Still a nice pinot from Garagiste.

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• 1998 Nicolas Potel Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Suchots

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru

  Served blind.
  After the first three, this showed very different. Age and more burg like qualities. Drinking well but simple. Seems like this will still alive for years to come but I don't see it getting better. I took home after the tasting and finished it with dinner. The type of wine I could drink on a regular basis.

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• 2007 Heart & Hands Pinot Noir Barrel Reserve

  USA, New York, Finger Lakes

  Served blind.
  This wine stood out. Nice spice on the nose. A darker wine with nice structure and balance. Good tannins and acid to work with the richness. I took this home where I found it a bit more heavy. Showed some more Cali qualities and where the 100% new oak was more noticeable.

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• 2005 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Chileno Valley

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Served blind.
  Wow. The stems really stole the show on the nose and palate. I love whole cluster so I wasn't too bothered but they kind of buried the fruit and earth. I am hopeful for this but it will need time.

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• 2003 Tandem Pinot Noir Sangiacomo Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Served blind.
  Nothing much to say here. Almost there but the sweetness and mouthfeel do not work. At the reveal I tried to recall if I have ever liked a Tandem pinot.

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• NV Lakeridge Reserve Cuvée Noir

  USA, Florida

  Served blind.
  Doesn't smell like pinot. Weird! Not good. Seemed flawed. When it was revealed it all made sense.

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• 2008 Briceland Vineyards Pinot Noir Elk Prairie

  USA, California, North Coast, Humboldt County

  Served blind.
  I wrote dark, structured and balanced. Very tight at this stage. Needs time but shows the right things to round out.

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• 1998 Joseph Drouhin Aloxe-Corton

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Aloxe-Corton

  Served blind.
  Showing very aged. I would have guessed 25 years or old. Lots of roses but also a cocoa dust element. The cocoa element turned me off. Not much pleasure for me here.

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• 2008 The Eyrie Vineyards Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Served blind.
  A bit reductive at this stage. This needs a few years. My impression is that it won't be mind blowing but a ver good wine. I picked up a few extras after this tasting. Big fruit and acid with a nice dose of tannin. Wait 4 years.

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• 2007 Lula Pinot Noir

  USA, California, North Coast, Mendocino County

  Served blind.
  Pretty shameful that someone on CT gave this 100 points. Not a bad wine but surly not that memorable. Needs a number of years in the bottle.

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