Important Update From the Founder

WCC West Coast Pinot Noir

Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY

Tasted October 26, 2023 by kenv with 62 views

Introduction

My local wine group met to taste West Coast Pinot Noir. The Fort Orange Club has a new Executive Chef Lou Agostinello, and he is very good. The dishes were quite tasty and well matched to the wines.

To my knowledge, all the wines were double-decanted briefly to remove sediment. Dinner ran from 7:30 to around 10pm. The wines were bagged and served blind to the group, but were known to me since I organized the flights.

Photos and more details can be found on my website.

Flight 1 - Flight 1. (3 notes)

Lobster Manicotti with Sherry Tarragon Cream Sauce.

Red

2009 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

92 points

Big, smoky, red fruit nose. Still has noticeable tannin. Long, bright, red fruit finish.

Comment

Red

2012 Kutch Pinot Noir McDougall Ranch USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast

93 points

Nose of sweet red fruit. Lighter and more nuanced than the 2009. Elegant.

Comment

Red

2012 Kosta Browne Pinot Noir Koplen Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley

92 points

Powerful nose of black fruit. Rich in the mouth with some tannin and lots of red and black fruit.

Comment

Flight 2 - Flight 2. (3 notes)

Chicken Roulade with Prosciutto, Basil, Apricot, and Almond.

Red

2007 Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Volnay 1er Cru

flawed

Dirty, sour. Clearly an off bottle.

Comment

Red

2010 Ancien Pinot Noir Red Dog Vineyard USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Mountain

90 points

Juicy cherry nose. Fully mature. Red fruit and forest floor.

Comment

Red

2015 Adelsheim Pinot Noir Breaking Ground USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Chehalem Mountains

92 points

Cherry nose. Elegant, long. Lots of red fruit and minerals.

Comment

Flight 3 - Flight 3. (3 notes)

Elk Loin with Persimmon, Asparagus Spears, and Ewe’s Blue Dauphinoise.

Red

2012 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Abbey-Harris Vineyard USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

88 points

Ripe, somewhat strange nose. Too much tannin for the fruit, but quite drinkable with the elk.

Comment

Red

2013 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Abbey-Harris Vineyard USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

91 points

Lovely cherry nose. Rich, tannic, balanced.

Comment

Red

2016 Anthill Farms Pinot Noir Abbey-Harris Vineyard USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

92 points

Sweet red fruit nose. Lovely cherries and earth.

Comment

Flight 4 - Flight 4. (3 notes)

Cheese Board: Old Chatham Camembert, Jake's Baby Gouda, Burrata, Jams, and Crostini.

Red

2004 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

93 points

Big, spicy red fruit nose. Still tannic with rich red fruit.

Comment

Red

2008 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

92 points

Big, red fruit nose. Rich and tasty.

Comment

Red

2010 Beaux Frères Pinot Noir Beaux Frères Vineyard USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Ribbon Ridge

91 points

Big, spicy nose. Tight, tannic. Needs more time. 91-??

Comment

Flight 5 - Bonus Wine. (1 note)

Red

2006 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Le Corton France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton Grand Cru

92 points

Brought as a bonus by a member of the group. Big, spicy nose. Big and tannic in the mouth. This could have used more air. 92-??

Comment

Closing

Only one or two duds. Lots of good wines, but nothing really wowed me. Still a fun evening with good food, good wines, and old friends.

WCC West Coast Pinot Noir

Fort Orange Club, Albany, NY

Introduction

Flight 1 - Flight 1. (3 notes)

Flight 2 - Flight 2. (3 notes)

Flight 3 - Flight 3. (3 notes)

Flight 4 - Flight 4. (3 notes)

Flight 5 - Bonus Wine. (1 note)

Closing

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