4/2/2011 - David Paris (dbp) wrote:

Pinot Noirs from Around The World (BLIND!): After some thought, I've decided to refrain from scoring this wine... something was definitely strange here on this night. Not many people were dumping wine, but I saw at least 4 people take a sip of this and dump it down the drain, with much negative discussion afterwards. The bottle was fully consumed as once the bag was revealed everyone was shocked and went back for a second try, so there's no trying it the next day. This was showing quite a bit of spice, oak, and smelled very modern to me. I did not like it. The palate feels modern and chemical driven, with some oakiness and nasty funk. Pretty big spice on the finish, with a funky, heavy streak. Yes it tastes like Pinot Noir, but it had no distinct character. It tasted mass produced. When I went to pour the next wine I did see the gold screw cap foil and I was convinced this was the Lombardia wine I got at Target for $10. The score I wrote down did not start with a 9 or an 8...

4/2/2011 - David Paris (dbp) wrote:

Pinot Noirs from Around The World (BLIND!): Another one of the night's favorites by most. This expresses much more exuberant, fruity notes than the previous wines. Really pleasing, with some earthiness balancing out the fruit, which is predominant. There's a mild sulfur, firecracker, toasted oak component as well. While this has some balance, it most certainly smells new world. The palate is rich and big, with nice complexity of earthy raspberries and soft acids building. Pretty soft and lithe considering the slightly larger size. Bigger spicy red fruits on the finish, with acids and spiced oak carrying fairly long into the finish. The acid dances and carries these flavors long on the tongue; it feels like acids and berries are going down the water slide of my tongue. Really nice balance.

4/2/2011 - David Paris (dbp) wrote:

Pinot Noirs from Around The World (BLIND!): One of the wines of the night for most people. Really fantastic, powerful and surprising nose. Quite a bit of earthiness, with tons of funky forest. There's also tons of minerals and rocks. Really spicy and rich, complex. As I left this in the glass swirling it for minutes some of the funkiness was burning off as the aromas were getting richer, fatter, and more complex with layers of earth and dirty berries. The palate expresses really dirty strawberries and funky earth. It's dusty tasting, with mildly grippy tannins. Lots of dusty books as its held on the palate. This definitely does feel like it has a couple years of age on it. The finish is spicy, and quite mild. Moderate length, with pleasing minerality lingering. A real winner.

4/2/2011 - David Paris (dbp) wrote:

Pinot Noirs from Around The World (BLIND!): Really light color, almost like you died water with some salmon. Funky aromas, almost like oaky notes, but not sure if this sees any. Someone said it smelled "farty." Lots of displeasure on the aromas from the group. The palate takes a different turn which is very pleasing. Quite crisp and light, but it has a luscious mouthfeel, with cutting acid building. It's almost buttery in its texture. The finish is tons of crisp acid that carries deep into the finish, without any of the funky aromas noted on the nose. Very pleasing in the end.