Pinot Fight night

This was a joint effort between Peter (chose theme, prepared amazing food, like killer mushroom risotto, reduction for steaks, etc.) and Jeff (hosted, grilled steaks, etc.) These guys really outdid themselves - the food and event were dynamite! For those who have not read my Fight Night notes, the idea is that wines go head-to-head in flights (fights) until only one remains standing.

• 1997 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select 96 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Stags Leap District

  This was a great and generous "starter" wine from Jeff, who is quite a HSS afficianado. After I got my head in the game (made a bad first guess what this was), great aromas and flavours of cassis, ripe blackberry, some minerality, creamy mouthfeel. Yummy!

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• 2003 Peay Vineyards Pinot Noir Estate 86 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Lighter color than wine #2. More floral on the nose. On the palate solid acid, medicinal, cherry cough syrup, unintegrated alcohol, a bit of underbrush. This wine lost unanimously to wine #2.

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• 2002 Domaine Jacques Prieur Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Santenots 90 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru

  On the palate, a little alcohol, but not as much as wine #1. Yet this is a bigger, richer wine. Also a nose that leaves more ofan impression. Some dry tannin on the finish. Big fruit with good ripeness, but not over the top. A late note of green tobacco also. Nice wine.

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• 1997 Flowers Pinot Noir Moon Select Camp Meeting Ridge 88 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  Rubyish color. Candied strawberry fruit. A little unbalanced with the alcohol poking through and overpowering the fruit, which seems somewhat faded. No match for wine #4, this lost unanimously. (This was a bit better later in the night, but too little too late...drink up if you got 'em).

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• 2000 Martinelli Pinot Noir Blue Slide Ridge 93 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

  This was a first for me - a Martinelli Pinot that did not make me wretch and/or spontaneously reach for some Advil. In fact, this was objectively the WOTN and for my palate it was too. The wine is definotely in a certain style. Dark purple color. Kirsch, sweetened cherry syrup, giant sized wine (as big as I ever would want Pinot to be). Everything about this wine is taken to the edge...and it works. Perhaps I'm better off drinking "off-vintages" of these wines because the better vintages I've had have been way too much for me and I did not enjoy them in the least. This one hit the mark.

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• 2001 Domaine Arlaud Charmes-Chambertin 90 Points

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

  Surprisingly New Worldy. At the outset (blind) most people were guessing this was not Burgundy. Deep red/purple color. Quite a tannic and solid wine. Good medium body. Perhaps closed at this time? Nice cool cherry cough drops. The wine mellows out over the evening, but never opens up. Still, a nice drink.

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• 2001 Domaine Jean Garaudet Monthélie 81 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Monthélie

  Atypical wine. Tastes more like a middling CdR than any pinot-based wine. Very barnyardy on nose and palate. Clear ruby color. Not well integrated. Sadly, this wine was dumped by several tasters. This was the unanimous loser of this flight.

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• 1996 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Reserve 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa / Sonoma, Carneros

  This was a bonus wine from Peter. It is deceptively Old-Worldy. Starts off with some pong/stink on the nose. But on the palate, a nicely ripe, well-mannered pinot that seems to be fully resolved now. Nice wine with fine balance.

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When the three fight winners were compared, it was unanimous that the Martinelli was the overall winner. An excellent night, a rare degree of agreement amongst tasters, and great showing by 2000 Martinelli BSR. Thanks again to Peter and Jeff!