Important Update From the Founder
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Seattle Tasting Group does Pinot Noir
Olympia, WA, USA
Tasted July 27, 2003 by Eric with 2,594 views
Introduction
Eight members of the (self-proclaimed) Seattle Tasting Group convened for our monthly tasting. The theme was Pinot Noir, and Dave Browning graciously hosted us picnic-style along with our significant others in Olympia, WA. The weather was smoking for the northwest with temperatures creeping into the lower 90’s. Perhaps it was the weather, but for me several of the white wines stole the show.
By the way, please accept my apologies for some extremely terse notes. I was in a hurry and had to leave early, so I bolted ahead and tasted my way through the lineup with no peer pressure to influence me. Also, I am not really a huge Pinot fan, so you could easily dismiss me by saying "he doesn't get it," and that may well be a fair summary. I also missed out on the 12 dessert wines. Oh well.
Flight 1 - WHITE FLIGHT (8 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Perrier-Jouët Champagne Grand Brut
I brought this as a little appetizer for the day to honor Lance Armstrong's incredible 5th straight win of the Tour de France. This was lovely, refreshing, remarkably yeasty. Very enjoyable.
White - Off-dry
1994 Marcel Deiss Gewurztraminer Bergheim Vendanges Tardives
95 points
Very much a late harvest wine. Honey, botrytis, diesel and a ton of exotic spice on the nose. On the palate this has a remarkable, luscious, sumptuous, oily texture. Among many other flavors, it has a distinct flavor of sweet-relish along with lively acidity. The finish on this beauty is simply endless. I'm still smacking my lips thinking about it...
White
2002 Domaine Vacheron Sancerre
94 points
This wine was a revelation for me, as I don't drink much Sauvignon Blanc and even less Sancerre. This has a memorable, distinct nose of ash, mineral, and freshly cut grass. On the palate this was amazingly crisp, grassy and lively. The finish on this was tart, refreshing and incredibly long. Perhaps it was the heat that made it stand out, but this was about as good as it gets, especially for a basic Sauvignon Blanc.
White
2000 Guffens-Heynen Mâcon-Pierreclos Le Chavigne
93 points
Wow, this had an explosive nose of orange zest, peach nectar and an almost Viognier-like exotic element. On the palate this was stunning and syrupy with loads of apricot on the long, Long, LONG finish. Beautiful!
White
1998 DeLille Cellars Chaleur Estate Blanc
91 points
Very smoky with a bit of nail polish on the nose. On the palate this has gorgeous texture and is truly lush and soft from all that time in barrel. It exhibits a mineral, lemon and spicy note, and has a long, toasty finish. I have tended to find Chaleur Estate Blanc too heavily wooded for my taste, but this bottle was luscious.
White
2002 La Rogue Coteaux du Languedoc
85 points
A mineral and lemon nose. On the palate not much fruit but pleasant and well made. A bit short on the finish.
White
2001 Horton Vineyards Rkatsiteli
84 points
Roy brought this very unique wine. 'The Rat' had a doughy nose of Wonder Bread with subtle hints of apricot and peach. The nose was better than the palate which was somewhat flat. Despite this it was pleasant with nice acidity but not very much fruit.
White
Flight 2 - PINOT NOIR (20 notes)
Red
1999 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Octagon Vineyard
93 points
Compared to the other Dehlinger wines on the same night I found this to be earthy and mushroomy on the nose. On the palate this was explosive with incredible fruit and a funky complexity. Wowza!
Red
2000 Kistler Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast
93 points
Piercing nose of raspberry and some toast. This has simply massive extract with a long, huge finish. Pure, intense and gorgeous.
Red
1997 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Reserve
92 points
Piercing cherry on the nose. Amazing entry and palate, like spun silk and cotton candy. This is beautifully resolved and impeccably balanced.
Red
1998 Dehlinger Pinot Noir Octagon Vineyard
92 points
Nose of raspberry with some toast. This is amazingly powerful with a LONG, LONG, LONG finish. Gorgeous Pinot!
Red
1982 Louis Jadot Corton-Pougets Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot
90 points
Despite the brown color and extreme age, this was very much alive. Silky texture, still with a surprising amount of fruit. This has sweetness of spun sugar. Nice, nice, nice.
Red
1999 Domaine Serene Pinot Noir Evenstad Reserve
90 points
Dark and brooding nose. On the palate this was heavily extracted, very powerful. The finish shows abundant length and power. A very nice Oregon Pinot for those that like them big.
Red
1990 La Pousse d'Or Pommard 1er Cru Les Jarollières
88 points
This was super silky yet long, massive and tannic. Very nice acidity, yet this seemed a touch hot. Maybe it was the serving temperature?
Red
1996 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurène
88 points
Dusty cherry on the nose. On the palate this is super silky with a medium finish. Impeccable balance but lacking a bit of power and complexity.
Red
1997 Flowers Pinot Noir Moon Select Camp Meeting Ridge
88 points
This one had a nose that moved from earthy to something that was intensely mushroomy, almost fishy. Very funky, almost too much. On the palate the fruit is much more controlled and restrained than the Dehlinger wines, more brooding. The finish was a bit clipped though.
Red
1999 Torii Mor Pinot Noir
88 points
I actually brought this after opening the bottle a day earlier. On day 2 it was deep, earthy, a bit funky and dark. I liked it a lot more.
Red
2000 Domaine les Aphillanthes Côtes du Rhône Villages Vieilles Vignes
85 points
Brad tried to pull a fast one by sneaking this in with the Pinot. Admittedly, it has a much lighter complexion than a typical Cotes du Rhone. Very silky with nice fruit and structure that distinguishes it.
Red
1996 Saintsbury Pinot Noir Brown Ranch
84 points
Caramel on the nose. On the palate this was sugary and thick with very little acid. Smooth yet fairly limp.
Red
1999 Hamacher Pinot Noir Oregon
84 points
Stunning, pure raspberry on the nose. On the palate this has a bit less fruit than the nose and is very lush and silky. Unfortunately the wood starts to overtake the fruit with time in the glass.
Red
2001 Bergström Pinot Noir Cumberland Reserve
84 points
Was this a bad bottle? I found it to be hot with lots of brown sugar on the nose. On the palate it had an odd, spritzy feel that bothered me. At the same time, it was very sweet and incredibly primary. This was packed with fruit.
Red
1999 Jean-Paul Magnien Morey St. Denis 1er Cru Monts-Luisants
82 points
A perky nose with bright raspberry notes. On the palate this is very primary with a sour, green element.
Red
1999 Thomas Pinot Noir Willamette Valley
80 points
Very light in color. Toasty, smokey and earthy. For me the wood was way over the top here.
Red
Red
1999 Cristom Pinot Noir Marjorie Vineyard
70 points
Green, tannic, and nasty. Hmm, this was about the least impressive Cristom I have ever had. What happened?
Red
1990 Columbia Winery Pinot Noir Woodburne Cuvée
Light brown in color. Pale. Madeirized. Watery. Doesn't deserve a rating.
Red
1992 Domaine Ramonet Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru Clos St. Jean Rouge
flawed
A burned, funky element. Hmm. OK, this is corked, badly as confirmed by several tasters. What a shame!
Closing
Thanks everyone for a terrific afternoon and to Dave and family for hosting. Until next time, cheers!