World of Pinot Noir Tasting (13 Pinots from Burgundy, Germany, New Zealand, Oregon and California)

Zoom
Tasted Saturday, December 5, 2020 - Sunday, December 6, 2020 by bobdobilina with 128 views

Introduction

Earlier this year, as we do each year, we participated in our public school gala to raise funds for the school.

The theme this year was the World of Pinot Noir, and our intention was to host at our house.

This is always a fun night. Not really a bunch of wine nerds, but the wine and food are appreciated and its a good use of the cellar.

At the time we thought Covid-19 may be a temporary interruption... Apparently not.

So we finally moved this one to zoom. Thanks Charlie Fu for the tips on how to do this.

The scores all look fairly close, because the quality was high across the board with no duds. The burgundies have more life left in them, but this was a good showing across the board.

Flight 1 - Burgundy (3 Notes)

  • 2009 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Le Corton 94 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

    (12/6/2020)

    Very dark garnet color.

    Nose of violets, vanilla and dark cherries.

    On the palate, sweet fruited without being cloying. Ripe red cherries. Savory and rich with great concentration. Deep, rich, long and broad. An impressive, if somewhat glossy burgundy.

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  • 2009 Gérard Raphet Charmes-Chambertin 93 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

    (12/6/2020)

    Crystalline dark ruby color.

    Quite savory nose of sous bois, turned earth, raspberries and vanilla.

    Palate of e cherries and spice. Great length and finishes with good grip. Shows quite vosne like to me. The most mature of these burgundies tonight although has the stuffing to age further. How much? hard to guess.

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  • 2009 Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru Clos des Porrets St. Georges 92 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru

    (12/6/2020)

    Clear, mid-to-pale garnet color.

    Floral and quite vinous nose. Smells of cherries.

    On the palate, slightly tart. Red fruited - red cherries and strawberries. Grippy with wood tannin. A little tight right now, but lovely style and huge promise. 92+

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Flight 2 - New Zealand (and one from Germany) (3 Notes)

I couldn't find the 3rd kiwi wine for this flight so subbed a Spatburgunder

  • 2009 Friedrich Becker Sankt Paul Spätburgunder Großes Gewächs 90 Points

    Germany, Pfalz

    (12/5/2020)

    Very light in color (lightest of the 12 Pinots tonight). Pale Ruby.

    Nose of sous bois, vanilla, some smoke.

    Ripe cherry fruit with some orange peel. Finishes with some vanilla and caramelized notes and a touch of heat. Seems a bit forced in terms of ripeness and oak, but still fine.

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  • 2009 Rippon Pinot Noir Tinker's Field 92 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka

    (12/5/2020)

    Mid warm burgundy color.

    Very floral (roses), with an earthy note and a touch of citrus zest.

    Lovely textural palate with great length while keeping light on its feet. Black cherries, red apple skin. Tannins are soft and fine.

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  • 2009 Pyramid Valley Pinot Noir Growers Collection Calvert Vineyard 91 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago

    (12/5/2020)

    Slightly cloudy mid to light burgundy color.

    High toned nose of turned soil, roses.

    Quite black fruited... black cherries, vosne spice, tart acidity.

    Showing well, although i suspect just slightly past its apogee at this point.

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Flight 3 - Oregon (3 Notes)

  • 2008 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Estate Reserve 90 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton

    (12/5/2020)

    Slightly cloudy mid to light garnet color.

    Nose of cherries, rose petals, cinnamon.

    Sour cherries on the mid weight palate, some metallic notes, and warmth on the finish.

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  • 2008 Bergström Pinot Noir Bergström Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

    (12/5/2020)

    Mid garnet color.

    Aromatic nose of wood smoke, rainier cherries, potpourri.

    Sweet red fruits, cherry snd raspberry on the palate finishing with red apple. Quite refined and feels resolved at this stage.

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  • 2008 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard 94 Points

    USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

    (12/5/2020)

    Pale and slightly cloudy sangria color.

    Nose really leaps out of the glass with macerated cherries, roses, baking spices.

    Great palate intensity without being obtrusive. Lovely red fruits, fine acid, and appealing savoriness. This is in a lovely place.

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Flight 4 - California (3 Notes)

  • 2009 Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

    (12/5/2020)

    Crystalline garnet color.

    Lovely nose of strawberries, cherry, potpourri and nutmeg.

    Great fruit intensity on the palate. For me cherries, both red and black. Has great length and has nice spice to it. Finishes with a mineral note.

    This bottle is in great condition and i think this still has more development.

    92+

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  • 2009 Rhys Pinot Noir Alpine Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

    (12/5/2020)

    Mid and slightly cloudy currant color.

    Expressive nose of sassafras, cherry and baking spices.

    The (red and black) fruits are showing quite sweet here. There's a good amount of spice and a bit of noticeable oak. The palate is very long.

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  • 2009 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Bucher Vineyard 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

    (12/6/2020)

    Slightly cloudy sangria color.

    Exotic nose of campfire, wild herbs and roses.

    Dr pepper fruit profile, but with good balance. Lucious and long with piquant red fruits and a slightly sauvage character.

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