Double Blind Pinot Tasting at T&T's

We gathered at Tom & Tina's house for a Pinot tasting...that is the entirety of what we were told beforehand.

The results were pretty interesting (to me any way) and it shows both the merits and downfalls of a blind tasting. We were served small pours one at a time and instructed to take notes. I would have liked to have spent more time with each of these wines and paired them with food, but on their own, the lot of them didn't show particularly one given their pedigree. Post-tasting, I was informed that the wines were opened, but not decanted, one hour prior to the event. While I think all could have used more time to open, I think that's a bit of a crutch -- I would have expected better results from a simple pop and pour. After the reveal/additional aeration, I tasted many of the wines again and my impressions were largely unchanged.

While I will include a number at the end of each wine reviewed, that is included to give my impressions of the wine relative to one another. However, given the format of the tasting, I will not include a numerical score for CT averaging purposes.

• NV Graham Beck Brut Methode Cap Classique Chardonnay Pinot Noir 81 Points

  South Africa, Coastal Region

  53% Chardonnay 47% pinot noir. Very pale yellow with a weak stream of tiny bubbles. Distinct tart lime flavor without a good deal of complexity, short+ finish. The rosé is quite tasty, but this does nothing for me.

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• 2007 Joseph Phelps Syrah

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  Impressions: appeared visually similar to grape juice. Nose was grapey and alcohol was noticeable. Very tight, some herbs, very tannic, red fruits, needs time. Was a wild card at a double blind Pinot tasting and it was clearly out of place. Alcohol noticeable at 15% abv. 80

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• 2009 Miner Family Pinot Noir Garys' Vineyard

  USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands

  Impressions: Pale strawberry red. High- acidity, strawberry, cranberry, a dash of orange rind. Somewhat lighter bodied, this would go very well with food. My WOTN. 90

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• 2008 DuMOL Pinot Noir Ryan

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Impressions: Garnet color. Most powerful nose of the night. Dark red berries, medium acid, low+ tannins. Rather soft on the palate. Short finish. Tasty, but it left me wanting more. 87

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• 2010 Littorai Pinot Noir The Haven

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Impressions: Medium red with a nose of red berried. Palate followed the nose, with the addition of some cranberry flavors. High - acid. Not particularly complex and a long, astringent finish. Not my cuppa. 80

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• 2008 DuMOL Pinot Noir Estate

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Impressions: Deep cherry red. Nose of earth and red berries continues on to the palate. High- acid, medium- body, medium finish. I liked the complexity, but IMO needs more time. 86

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• 2009 Belle Pente Pinot Noir Murto Vineyard

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Dundee Hills

  Impressions: Cloudy/light red. Sour cherry, strawberry, cranberry. High acid obscures the palate. Medium finish. Not terribly pleasurable on its own. 84
  
  This was my second go round with this wine and, unlike the previous occasion, this time was blind. Similar score and impressions.

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• 2008 DuMOL Pinot Noir Aidan

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Impressions: Light garnet. Nose of water melon and red fruits. Palate is red/dark red berries and watermelon rind. High- acid, medium body, medium finish. Slightly disjointed. 83

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• 2009 Copain Pinot Noir Wentzel Vineyard

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  Impressions: Dark purple/red. Deep nose of red and purple fruits. Flavors of red fruits, including apple and cranberry. Oak is not fully resolved. Nice concentration. Short+ finish detracts. 88

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• 2009 Williams Selyem Pinot Noir Weir Vineyard

  USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands

  Impressions: Cloudy pale red. Red fruits and watermelon on the nose. Palate is red cherries and berries. Very balanced, but lacking a bit of depth. Short+ finish detracts. Feel it's a bit young and could use some time. 88

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• 2009 Arista Winery Pinot Noir Mononi Vineyard

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Impressions: Deep cherry red. There's a lot of depth in the nose, primarily earth and red fruit in the background. Earthy with cranberry, rhubarb and red fruit hiding beneath. Light bodied with medium+ acid and a short finish. I liked the style. 88

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• 2008 DuMOL Pinot Noir Finn

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

  Impressions: Cloudy reddish/purple. Some alcohol on the nose with tart cranberry. Soft entry, exceptionally smooth, with med+ acid and a shot finish. Cranberry flavor predominated, wish it had some additional complexity. 87

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• 2009 Cornerstone Cellars Pinot Noir

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  Impressions: Medium red. Nose of red fruits and maple. Sappy red fruits and a short finish. Lacked some concentration. Maybe some palate fatigue setting in, but this did nothing for me. 80

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As always, it was a wonderful evening with Tom and Tina. Sadly, the expected news arrived -- they will be relocating to San Francisco in the coming months (less saddened by Tom's departure...addition by subtraction some might say). Ah well, I look forward to having a place to crash and a launching pad for future trips to wine country.