TN: The Villain and the Crow...

[Marshall Manning]

Tried a couple of wines this week I thought were worth reporting on:

2010 De Villaine, Bourgone, La Fortune - Bright and clear in the glass, a little orange on the edge. Pretty, bright nose of strawberry and spice, with earth and floral accents. Lovely and bright on the palate, still a little bit of grip, but rounding into prime drinkability. Pure and pretty strawberry fruit on the palate, showing earth, spice, tea, and floral notes. Intense enough to match with a grilled pork chop and grilled peaches with brie, but I wouldn't pair it with anything heavier than that. Just a pretty and elegant wine, and definitely for those who like their Pinots that way and not big and brawny. Purity and deliciousness counts for more than intensity in my book. Probably at its peak in 2 years? Approx...91..92.

2010 Crowley, Pinot Noir, Entre Nous - Darker in the glass, also with a hint of bricking. Dark cherry nose, lots of leafy, sous bois notes, clove, a hint of smoke, and a light herbal (not vegetal) accent. Very nice on the palate, showing that pretty Oregon cherry fruit, a generous helping of sous bois/leaf and earth, light oak/smoke, and the prominent herbal (basil?) note that is attractive and keeps it fresh. A more intense wine than the Villaine, but also not quite as precise and pretty. It may never be that style, but it's also delicious in it's own way. Also should be at peak in a year or two. Approx...90-91.