Tasting Room
Pinot NoirWINE OF THE WEEK
Clos La Chance
2004 Santa Cruz Mountains, Central Coast - Pinot Noir ($25)
An elegant, showy pinot with a tangy finish. Lovely fruit flavors of strawberry and cherry. Rich, yet has great balance. Integrated tannins. Medium complexity.
2004 Sonoma Coast, Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir ($20)
A smoky, meaty, gamy pinot. Tangy fruit flavors of rhubarb, cranberry and strawberry. Good texture. Medium-bodied.
2004 Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir ($27)
A big, brawny, smoky, toasty pinot. Juicy, with notes of hickory, cocoa and roasted coffee. Integrated tannins.
2005 Echo Ridge - Pinot Noir ($17)
Ashowy pinot with some real elegance. Flavors of black cherry, black plum, wild strawberry, cola, ginger and anise.
2004 Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir ($20)
A very appealing pinot, with an earthy quality. Flavors of black plum, cherry,oak and anise. Nice mouth-feel.
2004 Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir ($24)
A big, bad boy pinot, dark and brooding. Complex, with flavors of black cherry, voilets, coffee, clove and cinnamon.
2004 Russian River Valley - Pinot Noir ($32)
The panel concluded the pinot was undermined by off aromas and flavors. Two bottles were tasted.
2004 Signature Collection, Oregon - Pinot Noir ($26)
A tangy pinot. Aromas and flavors of cherry, cranberry, dill and hay. Integrated tannins. Long finish.
2004 Don Miguel Vinyard, California - Pinot Noir ($47)
A Burgundian style of pinot. Complex flavors of black cherry, red plum, blueberry, vanilla, anise and tea.
2004 Stanly Ranch, Carneros - Pinot Noir ($45)
Aromas and flavors of birght cherry, rhubarb, lavender and violets. Medium complexity. Slightly sweet. Light tannins.
2004 California - Pinot Noir ($27)
Rich flavors of black currant, dark plum and tart cherry. Notes of chocolate and cocoa. Good acidity.
TASTING PANEL: Dan Berman, culinary director, Pacific & Fiesta markets; Larry Van Aalst, sommelier at Equus; Damy Tamburrino, visitor center manager, Simi Winery; and Press Democrat wine columnist Peg Melnik.
CRITERIA: The panel samples eight to 12 wines a week in a blind tasting. Wine of the Week is based on quality, value and availability and is not necessarily the top wine of the tasting. Price is suggested retail; actual price is often lower.You can reach Staff Writer Peg Melnik at 521-5310 or e-mail pmelnik@pressdemocrat.com