Well, it’s come and gone – The Royal Tannin Bombs Pinot Noir tasting is complete.
And the contenders were:
2006 Rippon Vineyards Lake Wanaka Central Otago New Zealand Biodynamic-Organic Pinot Noir, 13.0% abv, $49.99
2006 Shea Wine Cellars Shea Vineyard Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, 14.25% abv, $42.99
2005 Domaine Harmand-Geoffroy Gevrey Chambertin “En Jouise”, 13% abv, $63.99
2005 Domaine des Héritiers Louis Jadot Beaune Clos des Couchereaux Premier Cru, 13.5% abv, $39.99
2006 Chalone Vineyard Estate Grown Chalone Appellation The Pinnacles Monterey County, Pinot Noir, No. 019688, 14.7% abv, $27.99
Please read the full review here and come back to add your comments.
29/04/2009 at 10:42 pm Permalink
Wow, my Rippon notes eclipse Rob Parker. I can die happy
This Pinot tasting proved we of the Royals aren’t big fans of the “red fruit/low tannins”. Granted, I agree with the BadMan, when a world class wine is in front of me, I’d like to think I have the savvy to recognize that, even when it’s a varietal not numbered among my favorites; but sadly, none of these were world class wines. And WTF, the Londer Paraboll was a lucky accident and wasn’t even meant to be on the table this night so this little ringer can’t redeem the vaulted PN by itself.
And where were the French? Do we really have to spend +$300 to find a decent Burgundy? If the answer is yes, keep them all for yourself- I have plenty of options at a fraction of the price that never cease to surprise and delight. If Pinot is, as some claim, the “Holy Grail” of wine, I’ve left the Crusade and am wandering in blissful wonder, elsewhere…
In the interest of full disclosure, I can share tasting notes from subsequent days…
• The Rippon was not awkward on day 3. Rich and full mouthfeel; not overtly rustic. A very balanced and lush example, but really Rob, a 95??? Do you now have a summer home in New Zealand, somewhere near Mordor?
• The Chalone was undrinkable and made its’ way down the drain, likely to disappoint even the rodent population. Such a shame for a well priced PN that showed very favorably in Pinot Noir, Tier I, mk i, affordable – assaggio majoralus. Possibly a bad bottle- let’s hope.
• The Shea, my #2 choice on the night of the tasting did not suffer from the days of uncorking. It had a warm spicy fruit node and was all creamy dark cherry in the mouth. Think cherry cordials with a kick. Not bad!
• The Gevrey Chambertin (my nostalgic fav) was all brown sugar coated fruit and sour earth- quite enjoyable. So I guess if you have “4” days to wait after popping, go for it. In Stanford years, this makes this wine a freakin’ octogenarian??? (OK, I didn’t do the math but that word is so fun to say: octogenarian.
• The Beaune was retasted a full 5 days after opening. The acid was more in balance than on night 1 but the red fruit showed up in spades- all bright & sour. Not fabulous but not drain worthy. Hey, it’s a Recession for heaven’s sake.
30/04/2009 at 9:00 am Permalink
Excellent follow-up, Tally Ho! I agree that the Chalone was most likely corked, so my final take on Pinot Noir aligns precisely with yours – but I’ll add this: for $28 and being readily available at many wine shops, the Chalone Estate is the best (“best” = “go-to” in this context) Pinot Noir. Period. If you ever have to go to a party and find yourself in the disadvantageous position of having to bring a bottle of Pinot Noir, these numbered beauties will not disappoint.