TN: Doggie Wine - Rascal Pinot Noir Willamette 2007

WINE TALK
1

For anything south of $25 this wine is a good buy. For the Berserker Day price of $6.25 - or anywhere between $7-8 at local retail -it’s the sickest bargain I’ve probably ever seen in the 40 years I’ve been drinking wine. It’s just been opened and I’m going to re-cork and visit it again tomorrow, but right now it has strawberry/raspberry/sour cherry nose with a bit of mint or menthol and something I can’t quite put my finger on. On the palate, an explosive blast of strawberry, raspberry and a little meatiness. Fine-grained but somewhat substantial tannins and nice, vibrant acidity bode well for (gasp!) cellaring this baby. The last I had of this wine was the non-vintage batch and it was good, but nothing like this.

If I have to pick nits, it’s a little clear on the rim and has a bit of a bitter finish that would disappear with food like Chris Webber in the playoffs. I’m going to have to show some restraint or there won’t be any to check out tomorrow.

Anyone who says this is swill needs a lobotomy.

2

I remember when they first brought the Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris by to taste. For $7 they were both pretty good for the money. I have not tasted the current batch. I have seen another label out there called Blue Pirate. The Pinot gris is the same cost as the Rascal but the Pinot Noir is more. I expect to see more things here locally as there is so much juice out there. And yes I do sell wine here in Oregon. There are now quite a few Pinot Noirs under the $20 mark that are some great values. I figure we will be seeing this continue for a couple more years. There are still some people out there still selling 2006.

3

I’ve had three bottle so of this by now and each time it blows me away. As Bob said- layers of pure red fruits and some spice, with great acid balance. The last couple I’ve brought home, have really shown well on day two. This is a great house wine for Pinot fans.

4

Pretty amazing stuff for the price, no?

5

I think you should go to basketball-reference.com and check LeBron’s post-season numbers. He was incredible mostly, against the Celtics playing with what has proven to be the worst team in the NBA. He averaged over 30 last year against a great defensive team with a mission and game plan designed to stop him. 2 years prior he came within minutes of taking the champs to be and only a legendary Paul Pierce performance in Game 7 stopped him. I’m a Celtics fan and I have no relish for facing his (yes, his) Miami Heat in the playoffs. To think he doesn’t show-up when the money is on the line is to not watch or not understand basketball.

6

I’m just doing my best version of Skip Bayless, Jim. Bayless is on LeBron’s ass like a diaper. I needed something, so I grabbed LeBron.

Regardless, I like the wine. I also like the Dollar Bills, and I convinced someone to pour it by the glass. [bow.gif]

7

A-Rrod (redeemed himself in 2009), Barry Bonds, Greg Maddux, Chris Webber are all good go-to guys for post-season less than stellar performances. Yeah, the DBO is a nice little wine but everyone is making a second label/intro wine now and there are shit-tons of sub-$17 Pinots in the city right now. Gotta get out of that category now with all the competition.

8

Oooh . . . I’ll change it to Webber. Never liked that guy. Thanks.

9

I killed off an entire bottle last night while chatting on the phone with a friend. Don’t remember a lot but it was darn good for me to drink the whole damn thing. This is the second one I’ve had since the B-Day purchase. So glad I bought it. So easy on the wallet and the palate. [cheers.gif]

10

Day Two: Pretty much the same description, but some forest floor has developed on the nose, the tannins are a bit muted and the fruit has turned a little darker on the palate. Still a screaming deal.

11

The forest floor is what I was refering to, in terms of improving on day two. I haven’t gotten the darker fruit, but the texture seems to smooth out and it is more classic OrPN with some time open. Unreal deal. I think there is an upside in the future to this wine as well, which is even more amazing.

12

Thanks for the kind words about our Rascal darling !!! I am passing your comments along to our hard working wine making team… they get too busy to read the nice thoughts, but man, do they make them smile.
Now might be a great time to remember all the hard working cellar people that create the wines we all love to drink in our comfy environments. ( it was really cold today, we were totally bundled up, worked in the rain but not one complaint !
Cheers
L

13

Mine just arrived the other day. Looking forward to the first and glad I got a case.

Dave
ITB Calicaro Wine

14

Just opened our first bottle. A bit tight at first, but after decanting and about 90 min., this really sings! Fabulous PN, especially for the price. Congrats, Linda and team [dance-clap.gif] [dance-clap.gif] .

15

Of course this won’t be available in Texas [cry.gif]

16

I wish I would have gotten more that 1 case of this as it’s quite good for the price We’ve already blown through 6 bottles. [wow.gif]

17

Call Jessica or Linda at the winery. I’m sure there’s more where that came from.

18

Call Linda or Jessica and see if they’ll ship to Texas.

19

The boss says OK on TX, and yes we have more - give us a call 503-434-9025
L

20

I ordered a case today with no problem. Just wish I didn’t live in VA for shipping purposes. But under $4/btl for ground so I really can’t complain.