Boerne Wine Club - CA Pinot Noir

The monthly get together at Scenic Loop Café. A very nice, if warm, spring afternoon outside. I arrived late and speed-tasted through the first 4 bottles, so keep that in mind. With the afternoon temps around 90, I was frequently cooling the glass with ice in an attempt to bring the wines into balance.

In order tasted

• 2008 Cherry Pie (Hundred Acre) Pinot Noir Stanly Ranch Vineyard 88 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  First wine, and served slightly warmer than I would like. Showed quite a bit of heat on the nose along with ripe sweet red fruits of cherry and raspberry. Similar flavor profile on the palate, with little structure, but enough acidity that it wasn’t jammy, and a lengthy fruity finish. Amped up alcohol and fruit without too much depth, one dimensional. At a disadvantage in the heat, might be better if cooled. Didn't get to re-taste. Group #3

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2005 Davis Family Vineyards Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 89 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Earthy nose, with a little cola and black cherry and licorice on the nose. Soft mild tannins and round lush mouthfeel. Slightly clipped finish but showing some forest floor, mushrooms. Still had nice depth and balance. Good. 89. Group #5

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2008 Ledson Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 87 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Much darker fruit profile on the nose than the first two, with currants and cherry. Dark fruity palate turning slightly tart on the finish. Pulled together some when cooled but heat was quite prominent otherwise. 88 Group #6

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2009 Byron Pinot Noir 87 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Barbara County

  Licorice and black cherry nose, with a pleasant red berry palate. Short clipped finish, but balanced, focused and pleasant in the heat. Nice QPR. I liked it better than the group but can’t score it higher due to lack of complexity. Group #7

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2003 Robert Stemmler Pinot Noir Nugent Vineyard 92 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Came across as quite young as it was not noticeable by flavor that this was 4-5yrs older than all the other wines. Slightly brownish tinge in the glass. Licorice and currants on the nose, with a slight well integrated greenish quality I assume is from whole cluster. Soft, lush palate, coats the mouth. Finishes with a nice meaty cola and earth character. Quite nice. Group #1

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2008 DuMOL Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Still cool when first tasted. Came together some after some time open. Very dark in the glass. Shy nose, dark fruits, lavender, oak, and a saline quality. Dense dark concentrated fruit with a smooth balanced palate. Has a large "horizontal" presence on the palate and lengthy fruity cola finish, with rocks and saline. Much improved from last year, but not the most complex wine for the price. Group #2

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2008 Rhys Alesia Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Popped and poured and still cool when tasted. By far the most tannic wine at the tasting and possibly the most acidic. Was showing ripe red fruits, plenty of whole cluster “stemminess” and lengthy earthy finish. Wasn’t as open as I know this wine can be with a few hours air, but still good. Group #4

  Post a Comment / 1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No

Ended up with mostly RRV’s and other scattered pinot’s from around CA. Styles were similar, with most with a fruit forward profile. Overall, a nice selection of wines in a beautiful Saturday afternoon. Tim brings the wine of the night yet again!