Favorite Pinot Noirs

**Mott the Hoople** · 03-21-2010, 04:03 PM

I know it's been done to some extent but let's here from ya. Names, whys and prices if you have any. Take your mind off the big vote for awhile anyway huh?

**jz3** · 03-21-2010, 04:41 PM

I just had Erath this week for the first time (Oregon $18ish?)...disappointing.

no favorite, just passing that along

**snowsprite** · 03-21-2010, 05:23 PM

Not too long ago I tried the Fat Bastard PN and it was cheap and really not too bad. I'd do it again!

Sprite

**iscariot** · 03-21-2010, 06:27 PM

Sonora Ranch Pinot Noir (Okanagan, B.C.)

~$20 CAD

Raspberry tartness with a spicy finish, more full bodied and concentrated than a typical pinot.

**pointedem** · 03-21-2010, 07:15 PM

Frey is good one ~$14

**Cruiser** · 03-21-2010, 07:17 PM

As far as domestic stuff goes I have a few favorites. Here are some quality producers to be on the look out for.

For Cali:
Loring Wine Co. ($50)
Roessler Cellars ($35ish)
Kosta Browne (Too fucking much-ish)
Sea Smoke ($60 to $110)
Peter Cargassachi ($45ish)
AP Vin ($50ish)
August West ($50ish)
Fog Crest ($40)

For Oregon:
Archery Summit ($40ish)
Domaine Serene ($35 to $65)
DDO ($30 to $60)
Artisanal Cellars ($25 to $50)
Patton Valley Vineyards ($30 to $100)
Firesteed Citation ($40ish)

**OSECS** · 03-21-2010, 08:08 PM

Not a big Pinot fan, but had an amazing bottle of David Blair Pinot. It was like candy. Had to be around $75.00 a bottle, which I think is to much to pay for most wine given the great $20 a bottle stuff out there.

**oftpiste** · 03-21-2010, 09:31 PM

Pinot Noir must not be named without bows to Bourgogne. Do some reading and drinking then go to France. Bum around Beaune for a week or two (at least). Make nice with the natives. You'll never look at Pinot Noir the same way.

Buster, where are you?

**wannabe** · 03-21-2010, 09:52 PM

I have been really enjoying Sharecropper and La Crema lately both about $25

**Tippster** · 03-21-2010, 10:11 PM

"Free"

But seriously my sister has turned me on to some very tasty Willamette Valley Pinots. Don't remember the names off hand but from the greater Eugene area. Also still a fan of Benton Lane and AtoZ.

Cali-wise I mainly buy Mendocino or Santa Barbara county Pinots but not very often. Just too damn expensive.

Some yummy Pinots coming from the Southern Hemisphere these days as well, especially NZ and Chile. The Cono Sur is a fucking steal at $10.

**supermodel159** · 03-21-2010, 10:26 PM

Au Bon Climat

Any year, they are all good.

**geomorph** · 03-21-2010, 10:40 PM

Holy crap Cruiser has some expensive taste in wine. That's all I have to add, sorry.

**Hong Jong Fuey** · 03-21-2010, 11:33 PM

Williams Selyem is pretty tasty.

**Steven S. Dallas** · 03-22-2010, 12:11 AM

Originally Posted by geomorph

Holy crap Cruiser has some expensive taste in wine.

Yeah, but he's a pro. I picked up some Roederer off wine.woot based on his recommendation and it was indeed excellent.

There are a bunch of good Pinots from the Central Coast of CA (Paso Robles and Santa Barbara). We are in this Carhartt Vineyard wine club and their stuff is great; highly recommended although I don't think they have any distribution to speak of.

My father-in-law gave us a case of Dutton Goldfield and it's pretty solid. I may have some to celebrate the results of the big vote.

**trainnvain** · 03-22-2010, 10:14 AM

Originally Posted by oftpiste

Pinot Noir must not be named without bows to Bourgogne. Do some reading and drinking then go to France. Bum around Beaune for a week or two (at least). Make nice with the natives. You'll never look at Pinot Noir the same way.

Buster, where are you?

Buster is off crying that we will never see a decent Clos De La Roche or a La Tache for a working man's salary in our lifetime again.

**trainnvain** · 03-22-2010, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Hong Jong Fuey

Williams Selyem is pretty tasty.

Sitting on my '07s as we speak. Bob Cabral is one of my favorite winemakers.
I also buy most any grape sourced from Rocchioli's vineyard. He's definitely from the old school.

**crashtestdummy** · 03-22-2010, 10:50 AM

This guy,specializing in Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley.

**BrassMonkey** · 03-22-2010, 11:35 AM

Pinots from Costco between 15 and 20. Can't remember the names, maybe Acacia?

**Buster Highmen** · 03-22-2010, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by trainnvain

Sitting on my '07s as we speak.

That's a mighty big butt plug.

**QuikR12** · 03-22-2010, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Tippster

"Free"

But seriously my sister has turned me on to some very tasty Willamette Valley Pinots. Don't remember the names off hand but from the greater Eugene area. Also still a fan of Benton Lane and AtoZ.

+1 for the Benton Lane, silky smooth tannin, ripe blueberry, fruit forward palate.

I would argue, till blue in the face, that the Willamette Valley hosts the best Pinot Country in N. America, with its similar topography, marine climate influences, great volcanic soils, and same latitude as Burgundy, France. It is truly Pinot country.

Originally Posted by Cruiser

As far as domestic stuff goes I have a few favorites. Here are some quality producers to be on the look out for.

For Oregon:
Archery Summit ($40ish)
Domaine Serene ($35 to $65)
DDO ($30 to $60)
Artisanal Cellars ($25 to $50)
Patton Valley Vineyards ($30 to $100)
Firesteed Citation ($40ish)

Is the "DDO" Domain Droughin? If so, yes, this is a great one. ($45-$60)

Other fine Oregon Pinots:

Cooper Mountain (high elevation, batch as opposed to blend, 100% organic/biodynamic) Its truly a fantastic pinot that truly stands out among other WV pinots. ($20-$40)

Vista Hills: Located in the same terrior as Domain Serene/Domain Droughin (< 1/2 mile), just a bit cheaper. Also highlights bold peppery notes w/ the same silky tannins. ($20-$30)

I would echo JZ3 that Erath is just sort of meh. Nothing special, overripe tasting, bland flavor.

Sokol Blosser: another good one, I can't remember why or how much, I just remember it being good.