Tasting Room
Pinot NoirWINE OF THE WEEK
Olivet Lane
2005 Russian River Valley - Pinot Noir ($30)
An elegant pinot, ripe yet balanced. Aromas and flavors of cherry, mushroom and tea. Integrated tannins. Soft texture. Showy.
2005 Santa Barbara County, California - Pinot Noir ($20)
A powerful pinot with an herbal edge. An extracted, tannic style. Notes of dried cherry, leather and bell pepper.
2005 Carneros - Pinot Noir ($30)
An elegant pinot with a good mouth-feel. Aromas and flavors of cherry, strawberry, tea, toast and oak. Balanced.
2005 Monterey - Pinot Noir ($17)
A pinot with a nice structure. Gamey, with notes of strawberry, pine needles, oak and chocolate. Long flavors.
2005 Santa Cruz Mountains, California - Pinot Noir ($30)
A lively pinot. Aromas and flavors of cherry, forest floor, mint, cola and clove. Soft and balanced. Medium complexity.
2005 Paragon, San Luis Obispo - Pinot Noir ($15)
A fresh and balanced quaffer. Complex, with notes of cherry, anise, forest floor, pine needles, mushroom and green beans.
2005 Green Valley - Pinot Noir ($35)
Floral, with high-toned fruit flavors. Notes of cherry and herbs. Youthful. Soft. Undermined by some off aromas.
2005 Russian River Valley - Pinot Noir ($20)
Earthy, with notes of raspberry, cherry and spice. Good extraction. Lush, silky texture. Light bodied. Very youthful.
2005 Bourgogne, France - Pinot Noir ($20)
Earthy and uncomplicated. Red fruit flavors. Floral, with a note of strawberry. Lean, with bright acid. Needs time.
2005 Sonoma Coast - Pinot Noir ($18)
An oak-driven pinot. Notes of cherry, toast, mineral and spice. Nice mouth-feel. Medium complexity.
TASTING PANEL: Daryl Groom of Beam Wine Estates; Doug Wilder of Vinfolio, Inc.; Stefen Soltysiak of Rodney Strong Vineyards; 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