Another evening of blind pinot exploration, including an impostor:
2006 Bethel Heights Eola-Amity Pinot Noir
Ripe, sweet, red fruited, mild acid, hot. Blind, I thought it was a somewhat unbalanced Cali Pinot. 2006 OR is not my vintage.
2005 Loring Garys’ Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands (TN Courtesy of Scott Christie)
Moderate reductive funk takes nearly a day to fully blow off. It actually helps hide the more candied aspects of the fruit profile the first day…by the second day it is all super-sugary candied fruit on the attack. Blackberry, syrupy dark cherry, and hints of citrus show through most strongly on the nose. The mid-palate is medium-short. The finish shows lots of ripeness, with heat sneaking in and disrupting things. Probably my least favorite of Brian’s 05’s, but then again I’ve never heaped praises on a Garys’ wine…not my favorite vineyard.
2005 Sinnean Resonance Pinot Noir, Oregon
Modern styled with integrated oak. Some reductive funk with earthy black cherry and darker Pinot fruit. Rich, viscous and gripping with reasonable acidity, almost Syrah-like. Rubbing tannins on the moderate/full finish. Nothing feminine here. A Pinot that pulls you outside of the box.
2005 Rivers Marie Occidental Ridge Pinot Noir (TN Courtesy of Scott Christie)
Strong whiffs of forest floor at opening give way to a panoply of dark fruit - plum, black cherry, and hints of berry. Full-on blast of fruit predominates the nose, with the oak presence only subtly revealed. Flirts with the edge of over-ripe but never quite gets there…remains nicely balanced if also big. The fruit also has a slightly tart edge to it…the acidity helps keep the wine in balance. Strong through the mid-palate. Hints of sassafras on the finish, but not in abundance. Probably entering its peak drinking window, as the ripeness level could become a concern if the big fruit ever fades out. Great example of Cali PN.
2007 Foillard Cote du Py Morgon, Beaujolais
Pinoter strikes again as it filed through the blind pinot line-up undetected. Earth, minerals, herbs with a lovely balanced red cherry and berry attack supported with excellent acidity. Pleasing moderate length finish and soft tannins. With air I picked up some subtle bubble gum aromas. Excellent value for < $30.
2005 Domaine D’Ardhuy Corton Mourottes Grand Cru, Burgundy
Not long ago there was a Brett/D’Ardhuy discussion on eBob…notch another one in the “No Brett” category. Surprisingly open and accessible for a GC (first time with this bottling). Plenty of earth, sous bois, and mushroom sufficient enough to draw a blind guess of OR pinot. Understandable based on the integrated oak and new world leanings. Pleasing acidity escorting the black cherry and red briar fruit. Appreciable ripe tannins. Strong finish. No signs of being shut down and enjoyable in its youth.
RT