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Pinot Noir
Recommendations
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Greetings!
Driving through the vineyards last Sunday, clocks sprung forward and Spring Training Baseball on the radio, it was my first feeling of spring. Time to plant, unwrap the Weber, check out the spring greens at the vegi-mart. And what wine to better celebrate the "awakening" of 2009 than a special bottle of Pinot Noir (...from Back Room Wines). Out of the forty or so California Pinots on our shelves, I've picked out four for you to read about, buy and enjoy. Not to demean the other 36 (or so) Pinots-ask for more suggestions and I'll provide.
First, must share a food epiphany. How to eat an artichoke. They were steam-cooked and chilled. Garlic mayonnaise on the side and plenty of it. I've always scraped the meat with my top teeth. Holly suggested I flip the leaf and use my bottom teeth to scrape off the meat. SHAZAM, I HAD NO IDEA WHAT A DIFFERENCE IT WOULD MAKE. First there's the creamy sensation of the mayo on the tongue, then I bite down, clasp the artichoke leaf and pull. The savory melange sits for a moment on my tongue before I smush and slide it over my palate. More texture, more flavor, more sensuous. I'll never eat an artichoke the same way again. How could have I not known? Did M.F.K. Fisher ever write on this? If so, I missed it. Next I'll take my new technique to chips and guacamole.
ON TO THE PINOTS! Dan.
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Pinot Noir
Here are four not just good, but really good
Coincidentally, The New York Times writes about California Pinot Noir today. Here it is. You'll read about perfect ripeness, not over-ripeness. Finesse, intensity and balance. I didn't mean to capture these virtues in my four picks below, but it just happened. No Zinfandel or Syrah-styled Pinots in today's line-up.
Try all four Pinots for a taste of the best regions for the grape in Northern California: Russian River Valley, Carneros, Anderson Valley and the Pacific Coast. Want a quick and tasty tour of Northern California Pinot? Get all four, invite your friends over, grill a side of salmon, and make a night out of it. Mixed case, three of each, $399!
BREGGO Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley 2006 $34
Another
up-and-comer in the fine wine biz, Breggo (means "sheep" in Boontling,
the dialect in and around the town of Boonville, the heart of Anderson
Valley) makes classy, highly-regarded, tiny lots of cool-climate wines. I mention classic styles up
above. This is very classic: perfumed, focused, complex and ethereal.
Tasting notes: A
really nice expression of cool climate Pinot Noir. Spicy cherry, rosewater and
deep citrus on the nose. Ripe red plums, raspberries and red cherries in the
mouth. Medium body and very pretty. Just the right twinge of
truffle, spice and pretty fruit on the finish.
COHO Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 2007 $40
You may know Coho's Cabernet Sauvignon, "Headwaters" red blend, and "Michael Black" Merlot from past BRW emails and purchases. Always waiting for the best to come around, this is the first Coho Pinot Noir I've brought in. It's dreamy, and a great representation of silky, fruity, spicy Russian River Pinot. Owned and made by two long-time wine professionals with day jobs (sales for Chappelet and winemaker for V. Sattui), and they still find time to deliver the wine themselves.
My tasting notes: Textbook
example of silky, strong, tasty Russian River Pinot Noir. Sappy cherry, red
fruits galore, sweet barrel aromas, red rose petals, good acidity, touch of
spice. Nice, lush, creamy texture. Ready to enjoy tonight.
LIOCO Pinot Noir, Carneros 2007 $34The partners' last names are Licklider and O'Connor. Pair the first letters of each name together and you get Lioco. Thought you'd like to know. I'm admittedly void of Carneros Pinot Noir much of the time. There's just not that much of it that truly interests me. I tasted this wine last week with the owners, and now I'm interested! It's a gem. Lioco wines, in general, are ones to seek out (we have their "Heintz" Chardonnay as well). Tasting notes: One
of the best expressions of Carneros Pinot Noir we've had in a while. Fresh,
straight-from-the-tree red cherries and sweet plums on the nose. Silky, bright,
friendly, rich fruit flavor. Medium-bodied, full of berries & cherries,
nice softness. As good alone as with dinner. 528 cases made.B. KOSUGE Pinot Noir "Manchester Ridge"
Mendocino 2006 $40We've carried Kosuge "Manchester Ridge" Pinot for a few months. It's just so good, special, rare, and at $40 such a good value, that I want to introduce the wine to more of you. B is for Byron - Byron Kosuge, Owner & Winemaker. I like his wines a lot. I really like this wine.
Here's a picture of "Manchester Ridge." That's the Pacific in the background. Maritime climate, vineyard over 2000 feet high-above the fogline that typically engulfs the coastline the first half of the day. Cool temps and long sunny days make for perfect Pinot.
I've had the pleasure to enjoy Manchester Ridge Pinots from several wineries in the last year and I'm a fan. I think you should try all the Pinots I suggest today, but if you're going to pick just one, this is it.
Tasting notes: This
is an exceptional, bold, wild, cool-climate Pinot Noir. Intense berry/cherry, black pepper, soy
sauce and cola. Fine acidity that makes your mouth water. Excellent!How about a mixed case?
3 bottles of each: $399
(includes 10% discount)
To order, call toll free at 877-322-2576
Order online here,
Reply to this email, or COME TO THE SHOP.
Thank you for reading.
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TASTING EVENTS
THIS FRIDAY NIGHT, MARCH 13, 5 to 8 P.M.
Most Unusual Grape Tasting
Taste, drink and enjoy six delicious wines made from grapes you may not know. We'll pour you: Erbaluce, Rabigato/Codega blend, Galliopo, Bonarda, Lagrein and Petit Verdot (last one is pretty well known, but rarely seen on its own). Come enjoy the wines, the crowd and your Friday evening. The "Unusual Grape Tasting" is just a $10, and wines poured will be on sale for 10% off.We'll see you here!
Here before you know it:
OUR NEXT DINNER & A TASTING!
Monday, April 6, 6 P.M. Start.
"Taste Tour of France" is the theme, with special guest Bill Elbring of North Berkeley Imports. We'll touch on all the best regions of France: Champagne, Loire, Rhone, Burgundy and Bordeaux. Dinner will be made and delivered to the shop by ZuZu Restaurant. $40/person. Reservations are being taken now-call or email to reserve your spot.
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I hope 2009 is being good to you. So far so good at the wine shop. Taking it day by day, week by week. Tough to wake up every morning to brutal economic news. Make a stop at Back Room Wines, your toy department, for a little fun anytime. Visit the store or visit online. I'll keep it light, and not just with the Pinot Noirs.
Drink more Kahlua.
Dan
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Daniel Dawson
Back Room Wines
Corner of First & Main Streets (First Street Entrance)
Downtown Napa, California 94559
Phone: (707) 226-1378 Toll Free # is 877-322-2576
Visit our website here
email: daniel@backroomwines.com
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Unusual Grape Tasting
This Friday,
March 13
5 to 8 P.M.
Ever had Erbaluce?
Galliopo? Bonarda?
We'll pour you six very good wines that (might be) new to you.
$10/tasting
Here's the line-up.
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Mediterranean
Wines
Next Friday,
March 20,
5 to 8 P.M.
Enjoy with us wines from the coasts of Spain, France, Italy and (maybe) Greece.
Reds & whites.
All very good!
$15/tasting
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