Firesteed Pinot 2007

• Area: Oregon
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 12.3%
• Rating: Black C- Dilettante C-

Description: Bright red cherry and vanilla toast make up the pleasant nose. Unfortunately, sipping is a disappointment. Limp notes of red fruit with a hint of coffee was all we could get out of this. Sadly, this is nothing like the 2006. Perhaps this wine is far too subtle for our palates. Of course this is just our opinion. Others could disagree.

Price: $15

Sorry, no photo at this time.

Gloria Ferrer Etesian Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 90 Dilettante 90 (after air)

Description: Brighter in styling than the 06, this has a cherry attack with a very raspberry follow through. Vivid notes of raspberry, cherry, violet, chocolate and toasty oak full in the mouth. The dry and lingering finale starts out with a cranberry pepper lift then.....wait for it.... wait....wait....wiat... pop! A bright raspberry burst explodes on the tongue. Decanting not required although 30 minutes worth of air time is highly recommended to tame a very flashy and vibrant nature. Given enough time to smooth mellow, this pinot can be rewarding. (86 before air)

Rodney Strong Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 14.4%
• Rating: Black 86 Dilettante 85

Description: This simple food wine has notes of roses, red fruits and vanilla framed by a bright Sonoma terroir. Bitter undertones support the dry finish. Unimpressive. Decanting not required.

Price: $17

Mont St. John Madonna Estate Pinot Carneros 2006

• Area: California, Napa
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13%
• Rating: Black 85 Dilettante 85

Description: Smokey oak, red fruit and a touch of barnyard on the nose. Flavors of strawberry, cherry, oak and a touch of earth are unremarkable in the mouth. The dry finish has a tart lift that dissipates with air. We preferred this after 15 minutes in the decanter.

Price: $16 We expected more for the price.

Benovia Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Sonoma Coast
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 14.3%
• Rating: Black 92 Dilettante 93

Description: Aromas of raspberry, rose petals, vanilla and a hint of leather. Full bodied and nicely balanced with a sweet attack. Flavors of mixed ripe berries and flowers drizzled with vanilla honey are lush in the mouth. The syrupy/dry finish has a nice lift of subtle cranberry. Decanting not required.

Price: $23

Primarius Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: Oregon/Washington State
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 90 Dilettante 89

Description: Heady nose of roses, violets, chocolate, spice and a touch of saddle leather. Full bodied and delicate in the mouth. Flavors of red fruit and flowers unfold on the palate. A lovely high note of red strawberry frames the soft and lingering finish. Decanting not required.

Price: $15 Excellent bargain for a pinot

Note: The grapes are grown in Oregon then shipped to Washington for processing and bottling.

Luigi Bosca Reserva 2007 Pinot Noir

• Area: Argentina, Mendoza
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 90 Dilettante 90

Description: Raspberries, chocolate, wood, and violets are pleasant on the nose. Wild fruit flavors explode in the mouth with accents of fresh cut flowers, wild strawberries and red currents. The lingering finish is fresh and dry. Argentine terroir melds beautifully with the Pinot Noir grape. Great from start to finish. Decanting not required.

Price: $15

Food: A nice match with Cajun seafood over pasta.

Wyatt Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Oakville
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 88 Dilettante 89 Nwjr 89

Description: Pleasant and friendly, this wine tastes of vanilla, spicy strawberries, grapes and a touch of earth. Creamy in the mouth, it finishes with ripe tannins and a nice brightness. Decanting not required.

Price: $15

Dr. Konstantin Frank Fleur de Pinot Noir (no vintage)

• Area: NY, Finger Lakes, Keuka
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 12%
• Rating: Black 88 Dilettante 88

Description: The nose and palate are in sync. Elements of cherry, raspberry, blackberry and a hint of vanilla are supported by tones of forest floor. The finish is lingering and clean. The distinctive Finger Lakes terroir enhances the character of this Pinot.

Price: $15

Beringer Founder's Estate Vin De Pays D'Oc Pinot Noir 2006

• Area: Grapes from France, bottled in California
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13%
• Rating: Black 84 Dilettante 81

Description: This drinkable wine has a nose too subtle for us to appreciate. On the palate there are delicate flavors of raspberry, spice and a little oak. The finish has a big acidic lift. Decanting morphs the acidity into a crushed grape seed flavor. Dilettante said, "The grapes would have been better off staying in France."

Price: $10

Estancia Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: California, Monterey County
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 88 Dilettante 88

Description: Luscious berry flavors are accented by a bright and discernible acidity. It also has notes of black cherry, raspberry, and some spice. The finish is supple and lingering. Decanting not required, although some air helps to smooth it out.

Price: $14

Stephen Vincent Pinot Noir 2006

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.6%
• Rating: Black 89 Dilettante 89

Description: The nose has aromas of wood, blackberry and a touch of leather. Fruit forward with flavors of blackberries, clove and cinnamon, this wine has rich lows and vibrant highs. Decant 20 minutes to loosen the acidity. We thought this wine was better with food than alone.

Price: $14

Note: nice with a peppery crab cake.

Gloria Ferrer Etesian 2006

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 94 Dilettante 94

Description: The intriguing nose of raspberry, coffee bean, shitake mushroom and a waft of smoke is a preview of the taste. Beautifully balanced and supple in the mouth. Complex and layered flavors of raspberry, toast, shitake mushroom, a hint of strawberry and a dash of nutmeg. The finish is lingering with delicate nuances of ripe red berries and soft tannins. We really enjoyed this wine. Decanting not required. It's as tasty as the Carneros without the heat and a smaller price tag. This is on my buy again list, for sure.

Price: $16

Gloria Ferrer Carneros Pinot Noir 2005

• Area: California, Sonoma
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 94 Dilettante 93 Nwjr 93

Description: Aromas of bing cherry, roses, pomegranate, wood spice, mocha and dried leaves caress the nose. The palate is lush and smooth with silky flavors of raspberry, mocha, bright red fruit and autumn spice. The lingering finish echoes the nose. Air a few minutes to dissipate the heat.

Price: $23

Note: This is one of my favorite pinots. One sip and I can almost feel the sunshine of that warm autumn day when we visited the winery. We sat on the verandah sipping pinot, enjoying the gorgeous view of Ferrer Vineyards. What great fun, great scenery, great company, and great wine. Ahhhh.

Ferrer on the web

Castillo De Molina Pinot Noir 2005

• Area: Chile, Curico Valley
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 14%
• Rating: Black 89, Dilettante 90, Nwjr 90

Description: Toast, light florals, cherry vanilla ice cream and wild roses make up the nose. This bolder style pinot has flavors of cherry, toast, violets, vanilla, roses and a hint of wood. The finish is nuanced with soft tannins. Decanting not recommended. The lovely high notes disappear as it sits.

Price: A tiny $9 price on a big wine. Great value!

Delta Vineyard Pinot Noir 2007

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13%
• Rating: Black 82, Dilettante 82

Description: Dark cherries, plums and a hint of mulberry is found on the nose and palate. In the mouth there is an off-putting bitter fizziness that overpowers the fruit. The very dry finish has notes of wood, canned peaches and bitter fruit. It was drinkable though not one of my favorites. Perhaps its vibrant youth can be tempered with a little cellaring.

Price: $17

Feudo Arancio Pinot Noir 2006

• Area: Italy, Sicilia
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 89, Dilettante 89

Description: This wine has a nose of smoldering flowers, plums and a hint of strawberry. In the mouth it's smooth and clingy with the same flavors as on the nose. It has a strong Italian teroir with a bright New World style lift and a dry, road tar finish. We found this wine very unique. Despite our inability to fully describe this gem, we really liked it.

The Arancio is better fresh out of the bottle. As it sits, it loses its zing yet gains in smoothness.

Price: $9 An excellent value.

Parker Station Pinot 2007

• Area: California, Santa Barbara County
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.5%
• Rating: Black 85, Dilettante 86, Nwjr 86

Description: The light aroma has elements of earth, dried cherries and cola. Its jammy temperament has flavors of red fruits wrapped around a cola center. This is a pleasant, mellow every day wine. Decanting not required.

Price: $15

Note: With an Italian wedding soup, this wine becomes dark and spicy, earthy and rich.

Parker Station on the web

Babich Pinot Noir 2006

• Area: New Zealand, Marlborough
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 14.%
• Rating: Black; 86 Dilettante; 86

Description: Spicy cherry wood on the nose. This bright, New World style wine is more robust than many a pinot. Rich favors of chocolate, strawberry, and raspberry are almost chewy. The finish has lingering flavors of spicy strawberries.
Food Pairing: We have no idea. It wasn't good with crab cakes. This may be better as a sipping wine.

Babich on the web

Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2005

• Area: California, Sonoma, Mendocino
• Grape: Pinot Noir
• Alcohol: 13.8%
• Rating: Black; 87 Dilettante; 88 Nwjr; 88 Mom; 89

Description: Elegant aromas of ripe cherry, tree bark, raspberries and rose petals waft out of the glass. Stylish flavors of raspberry, vanilla, cherry, strawberry and rose petals are well balanced and nicely focused with a lingering finish. Decanting 15 min reduces the acidity and brings out the strawberry.

Food Pairing: Roast turkey

Castle Rock on the web