FEATURED
PINOT NOIR WINES |
Beauregard
Vineyards 2006 Trout Gulch Vineyard Pinot Noir /
Ben Lomond Mt.
Grown
in the sub-AVA of Ben Lomond Mt., the Pinot shows superb
color in a glass. Swirl and take in the rich aromas
of damp earth, ripe cherry, and raspberry, as well as
sweet hints of vanilla, clove, and cola. A sip brings
a rush of red berry flavor and creamy, toasty vanilla
that move into notes of truffles, spice, and a kiss
of minerals. A very nice wine that paired well with
grilled chicken seasoned with thyme.
Score:
92
|
Burrell
School Vineyards 2005 “Principal's Choice"
Pinot Noir /
Santa Cruz Mountains
Bringing
together four different French clones and aging in French
oak for 18 months have produced a very nice wine. A very
bright Pinot, with excellent structure, swirling a glass
releases delectable aromas of plum, strawberry, raspberry,
and cola along with gamy notes. The palate is rich with
red fruit flavors, with hints of rose petal, sweet spice,
and chocolate adding a nice depth. Only 720 cases were
produced, so get a bottle or a case before they sell out.
Score:
90 |
Cinnabar
Vineyards & Winery |
Cinnabar
2006 Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
The
Santa Cruz Mountains are known for producing first-class
Pinot Noirs, and this bottle does not disappoint. From its
deep purple hue, fragrances of black cherry, dark plum,
a touch of lavender, and spice rise up. When sipped, a very
warm palate delivers ripe dark fruit flavors with nuances
of truffle oil, cloves, and minerals. Matched with a roast
pork tenderloin in a blackberry sauce, the wine promises
not to disappoint. Only 400 cases were produced, so get
a bottle while you can.
Score:
90
|
Clos
LaChance 2007 Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
Swirl
a glass and the lively floral nose of rose, geranium, and
lavender can transport you to a warm spring day. The palate
has a nice depth with herbaceous notes flowing into flavors
of plum, brown sugar, coffee, and hints of spice. Open a
bottle and unwrap a Calindia Bar from Vosges Chocolates.
The flavors of cardamom, eucalyptus, and citrus fruits,
along with the robust finish of Venezuelan dark chocolate,
blend splendidly with the wine.
Score: 88 |
Domenico
2006 Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
With
fruit sourced from two different Santa Cruz Mountains vineyards,
the wine strikes a nice balance with ripe fruit flavors
playing off a pleasant acidity. Red berry aromas dominate
the nose, with notes of smoke and cola in deeper pockets.
On the palate, vibrant flavors of cherry and strawberry
flow into notes of truffles and earth that mingle together
on the lingering finish. This wine would pair nicely with
variety of dishes ñ from salmon to lamb to a white
chocolate dessert.
Score:
87
|
Hallcrest
Vineyards 2005 Belle Farms Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
Reviving
the historic vineyard from the 1940ís in 1987, John
Shumacherís latest offering of Pinot Noir is worthy
of notice. The nose is lush with ripe black cherry, plum,
and lovely floral notes alongside hints of hickory meat
and soft earth. A sip brings lovely strawberry and cherry
flavors accented by nuances of cola and cinnamon. A bright,
crisp wine, it can be savored before dinner or enjoyed with
grilled lamb or a roast turkey breast or cellared for a
few years.
Score:
90 |
Hallcrest
Vineyards 2004 Barrell Select Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
Another
offering from the historic Santa Cruz Mountains Vineyard,
each bottle is commemorated with an individual number. A
California springtime nose of rose petal, lavender, and
bing cherry greets the senses. Plum, cherry, and floral
tones unfold into notes of minerals that build to a refreshing
spicy finish. A smooth, bright wine with a nice acidity,
it could be paired now with a grilled pork tenderloin or
cellared for further development.
Score: 85
|
Loma
Prieta Winery 2005 Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
Sourced
from fruit grown at a 700 foot elevation, this Pinot Noir
was aged in 100% new French oak for 10 months. Out of its
soft purple hue, bright aromas of red fruit, cola, and a
hint of rose pedal. When sipped slowly, plum and cherry
flavors dominate the palate, with subtle notes of earth
and creamy oak lingering at the wineís finish. A
light body and crisp acidity make this a highly drinkable
wine. Just 72 cases were produced, so get one before they
run out.
Score:
86
|
Loma
Prieta Winery 2006 Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
Grown
at 2,400 feet, this 100% Pinot Noir was aged for 11 months
in French oak. The nose is full of ripe red fruit and the
palate conjures up flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and
plum, with accents of cola, orange peel, as well as a hint
of spice. A lovely, smooth wine with nice acidity, it can
be enjoyed on its own or paired with a Shiitake mushroom
and tofu stir fry with a sweet soy sauce. Just 195 cases
were produced of this very nice wine.
Score: 90 |
Loma
Prieta 2007 Saveria Vineyard Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
The
Saveria Vineyard has a history of producing first-class
wine, and this Pinot is not an exception. Its nose is a
deep blend of raspberry, strawberry, musty forest floor,
clove, and cinnamon sticks. The palate is light and smooth
with sweet red berry flavors that unfurl into notes of truffles,
figs, toasty oak, and spice. The wine closes upon notes
of strawberries and fresh minerals. Portabella mushrooms
or salmon with a balsamic vinegar marinade would pair quite
nicely.
Score:
90
|
McHenry
Vineyards 2005 Estate Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
The
2005 harvest produced small, concentrated berries, and the
quality of the fruit translated into this flavorful and
complex wine. The bouquet opens up with ripe spiced cherries,
cinnamon, cola, and raspberry. Highlights of cinnamon and
lush black cherry unfurl into pockets of rose petals and
finish with lingering fresh mineral notes. A bright wine
with a nice clean acidity, it is great as an aperitif. The
wine would also pair superbly with smoked meats or a fine
cigar.
Score: 91 |
Mount
Eden 2006 Estate Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
Grown
in the Los Gatos area, sandwiched between the San Francisco
Bay and the Pacific Ocean, the fruit produces vibrant, crisp
wines. Swirling a glass releases a nose of wet earth, raspberry,
cherry, and exotic spice. The palate is quite bright with
the cherry and raspberry flavors returning, unfolding into
notes of earth and vanilla, which close upon a cocoa powder
finish with lingering accents of minerals.
Score:
88
|
Silver
Mountain Vineyards |
Silver
Mountain Vineyards 2007 Rosè of Pinot Noir / Central
Coast
America
has yet to have a love affair with Rosè, but this
wine may help them along the way. A blend of fruit grown
in Monterey County and the Santa Cruz Mountains, the wine
was aged 5 months in stainless steal. Ripe aromas of summer
drift up from a glass with cherry, cranberry, and watermelon
enveloping the sense alongside accents of lavender. When
sipped, the bright red fruit returns finishing on a lovely
hint of spice. This wine is the perfect companion for a
warm spring day.
Score: 90 |
Silver
Mountain Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
Sourced
from Muns Vineyard 2,600 feet up in the Santa Cruz Mountains,
it sits above the fog line and enjoys gentle seas breezes
from the Monterey Bay, making it ideal for growing Pinot.
Swirl a glass and take in the rich aromas of cherry, strawberry,
cola, and truffles along with soft floral notes. Sip slowly
and allow the bright red fruit flavors to drift over the
palate flowing into a finish of rose petal and cinnamon.
Perfect to pair with roast chicken, grilled salmon, or bbq
pork, this wine may just become your weekend favorite.
Score:
91 |
Silver
Mountain 2006 Miller Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir /
Santa Cruz Mountains
Miller
Hill Vineyard is located less than a mile from the winery
at a 1750 foot elevation. In a freshly swirled glass, rich
aromas of black cherry, strawberry, and raspberry mix with
notes of orange peel, vanilla, and smoky oak. When sipped
slowly, red fruit flavors flow into hints of hickory, rose
petal, toasty earth, and orange spice. A crisp wine right
out of the bottle, giving it a day to breath brings out
its smooth and silky character. Grilled chicken with a touch
of mesquite seasoning makes for a very nice pairing.
Score:
89 |
Storrs
2006 Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
Sourced
from the southern part of the Santa Cruz Mountains, the
southwest-facing vineyards enjoy plenty of sunshine along
with Monterey Bay's cooling breezes. Bottled in mid-April
of 2008, the wine's nose is rich with bright red berries,
refreshing minerals, and a hint of mint that are balanced
nicely by a smooth touch of vanilla and chocolate. Cherry,
strawberry, vanilla, and red currants dominate the palate
with subtle notes of chocolate, spice, and earth rounding
out the flavors. The wine finishes with soft nuances of
minerals and chewy dried cherries. A light, elegant Pinot,
with just a kiss of acidity, it drinks quite smoothly.
Score:
91 |
Woodside
Vineyards 2005 Pinot Noir / Santa Cruz Mountains
This
is a rich, flavorful Pinot from the Skyline region of the
Santa Cruz appellation. The nose is ripe with black cherry
and raspberry mixing brilliantly with floral notes, traces
of earth, a touch of vanilla and dark chocolate, as well
as a sprinkle of allspice. Red berry flavors dominate the
palate flowing to notes of musty forest floor and sweet
spice. The finish is fresh with lingering notes of minerals.
An elegant, smooth wine with a nice hint of acidity, it
is easy to savor a glass. Paired with a mushroom and spinach
calzone, it was even better.
Score:
91 |
| 96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
| 92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
| 85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
|
|
