WEEK 1:  PINOT NOIR


This week was the first meeting of the Tuesday Night Wine Club. We had five people and three wines. The wine choice was Pinot Noir from any location in the word. The three wines chosen were from three very different regions and showed the wide range of personalities that pinot noir can have. I would like to thank everyone who participated and I look forward to our next meeting. On to to this weeks wines. 


The first wine we tasted was, 
Castle Rock Pinot Noir
Monterey County, CA 
Vintage: 2007


This wine was a clear, bright wine with medium burgundy color concentration. It had a slightly pink edge to the rim. The nose had very little little fruit notes and more of a mushroom or truffle essence. The flavors were rich in stewed cherry with hints of pepper and tobacco. This wine had good body and a pleasant finish. Overall the wine showed good balance and nice complexity. 


The second wine was
Kim Krawford Pinot Noir
Marlborour new Zealand
Vintage: 2008


This second wine was lighter in color and concentration. The color was a dark pink and there was very little rim variation. The nose on this wine was dark cherry with a hint of toasted bread. The flavors were bright and fruit forward. There was a nice light tannin structure, light mouth feel, and a relatively short finish. This wine was a good example of an easy drinking Pinot that would appeal to a wide audience. 


The third and final wine was
Faiveley "La Framboisiere"
Burgundy France  Mercurey Villiage
Vintage: 2003


This old world gem had a dark purple color with high concentration and a slight orange rim variation. The nose on this wine was subtle. The emphasis was more earth and less fruit. The most noticable taste characteristic was that of baked cherry and strawberry pie. the tannin level is substantial, the the mouth feel was big, and the finish long. Although this wine is seven years old it still gave the impression that it could bottle age longer and still have room to become more complex.  


Well that is all for this week. Check in weekly as this small group continues to evaluate and taste wine so that you can know before you commit.