Pigs fly

WINE TALK
1

I would never have guessed:

2007 Castle Rock, Pinot Noir Mendocino County:
13.8% alcohol and about $12. A young, well-made, balanced pinot noir that is not only varietally correct but also of its place; it has that crackling black fruit scent and flavor I associate with the Anderson Valley and Mendocino; very light touches of milk chocolate and spice; this is clean, ripe, graceful, distinctive and will likely last several years in the cellar. In weight and texture this reminds a little of a village Chambolle from a good producer.

2006 Moon Mountain, Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County:
13.9% alcohol and about $19. A young, very pure Bordeaux blend that smells and tastes like it has never seen oak. However, it has 18 months in barrel, 20% French, 80% American and 30% new – which proves to me that a good winemaker knows how to use barrels without over-using them. It’s intense, concentrated, varietally correct, has some complexity, good depth and substantial grip. I think its structure requires five years or so in the cellar to resolve but I am semi-shocked to find this exceptional a cabernet from CA.

Best, Jim

2

Thanks for the tip. It looks like I’m going to have to chase a few of these down!

3

I don’t suppose you know the production figures, do you? [Was there sufficient production to even hope be able to find it?]

I’m seeing about eight different PNs on their website [which means I’m not hopeful that a generic advertisement for Castle Rock PN has much chance of being the Mendocino]:

http://www.castlerockwinery.com/list_wines.asp?offset=1

2007 California Cuvee Pinot Noir
2007 Central Coast Pinot Noir
2007 Columbia Valley Pinot Noir
2007 Mendocino County Pinot Noir
2007 Monterey County Pinot Noir
2007 Napa County Pinot Noir
2007 Sonoma County Pinot Noir
2007 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

I can see the Mendocino on Wine-Searcher Pro, but it’s up in NY & NJ [and one hit out in TX]:

http://www.wine-searcher.com/prof/wine-select.lml?Xwinename=Castle+Rock+Mendocino+Pinot&Xvintage=2007

I wonder if any of the Mendocino was even shipped to NC?

4

Nathan,
I get the impression that this is a huge producer and that there wines are distributed far and wide. But this is also my first experience with them so I don’t know.
BTW, the website shows that this bottling is 20% syrah - maybe that’s why I liked it so much.
Also, Augie Briggs is the winemaker.
Best, Jim

5

Hi Jim - I think this may be the first time we disagree, but I found the '07 CR Mendo PN to be too sweet, even by CR standards, and showing little sense of place. Discovering there is Syrah in the blend does not surprise me. I’ve long been a fan of CR for the under $15-10 group, especialy the PNs. The '07 RRV is fabulous for a whopping $15.

Be well.

6

I’m pretty sure I’ve seen this Nathan (Harris Teeter maybe). I haven’t tried it as it got lousy reviews on Squires in the “under $20 decent Pinot” thread. I will now give it a try based on Jim’s rec.

As a Pinot aside, I rather enjoyed the Bogle RRV (07?), was underwhelmed by the Sebastiani and really disliked the Trader Joe’s Reserve Pinot Santa Lucia Highlands 07 made by Alder Fels (overripe dreck) – wines mentioned in the thread.

Chris

Just about to walk over to the Dean Dome for the Carolina-Dook game. Go Heels! I’ve got a sparkler chillin’ in the frig for afterwards. [dance2.gif]

7

Thanks - I’ll go look for it [just worried that all I’ll find is a generic cuvee].

Just about to walk over to the Dean Dome for the Carolina-Dook game. Go Heels! I’ve got a sparkler chillin’ in the frig for afterwards. > [dance2.gif]

Sounds like some good times.

I guess we’ll find out whether Lawson’s toe has healed [Heeled?] since Friday’s practice.

Although now that I have watched Pitt twice in the last week [Marquette & UConn], I don’t know whether anyone can beat them when they bring their A-Game.

[OTOH, their PG and their center are a little overweight, so it’s possible that UNC could wear them out, but Ellington & Green would need to nail their shots for there to be any hope].

And Louisville [while not very tall] is as fast as greased lightning, and Pitino has them playing very aggressive defense.

Haven’t seen Memphis State or UCLA this year [Sagarin Pure Points & KenPom both like UCLA].

8

9

Jeff,
You are so literal.
Best, Jim

10

CR is a negociant winery. AFAIK, they don’t actually make the wines. Thier wines are declassified, bulk juice from mostly higher end producers. Greg Popovich has serious connections and does a great job at blending and putting quality wines out for very reasonable prices.

11

SA Spurs HC Greg Popovich?

12

It just gives me a chance to use that pic.

13

Basketball is just a side gig for him :slight_smile:)