Well all know how "hot" Pinot Noir is right now, mostly because of the movie Sideways. It seems like every time I visit my favorite wine shops, there are more Pinots on the shelves from a variety of regions. My favorites usually come from Oregon and, of course, Burgundy.
This particular Pinot, I specifically sought out based on a recommendation from Jim Waters, winemaker and owner of Waters Crest Winery. He admitted one time, as we sipped his stellar Riesling, that he doesn't typically like Pinot Noir...but that this one is a definite exception.
So, I drove to Stew Leonard's in Farmingdale, NY specifically for this wine. Of course, I ended up with a few other bottles too.
Eyes: This wine is a deep red. It's much darker and deeper than many Pinots I've tasted, with a good amount of extraction.
Nose: Very inviting and seductive, this wine's aromas are filled with raspberries and cherries framed nicely by spicy, toasty oak.
Tongue: Delicious. Smooth and rich, it offers sweet berry flavors and a slight peppery character that I really like. It's definitely mutli-dimensional, with well-intregrated tannins and a faint cocoa flavor that I think makes this something special.
Price: $22
Overall: I have to remember to email Jim and thank him for the recommendation. I'd buy this wine again in a second...especially at 22 bucks. I've also spoken to a sommelier in Manhattan about the Spy Valley wines and he speaks highly of the Pinot Gris...so I guess it's time for another trip to Stew Leonard's.
Grade: A-
You should drop by oregon when you have a chance. Our wineries are great here. And you are correct Pinot's are becoming quite the popular item on wine shelves.
Posted by: Drink Recipes | March 30, 2005 at 04:01 PM
Van Duzer makes some of the best Pinots I've had from Oregon. Willamette is the place to be!
Posted by: Scott Phelps | March 30, 2005 at 10:28 PM
Spy Valley also do a good sauvignon blanc.
Posted by: Barbara | March 31, 2005 at 04:31 AM
I missed an opportunity to taste this recently and wondered how it was. Thanks for the review.
Posted by: Alder | April 01, 2005 at 12:47 PM
Spy Valley 2002 Marborough Sauvignon Blanc is the most awful white wine I have had in a long time. Tasted it with 4 other people the other day; we each had a glass and pour the rest of the bottle down the kitchen sink. Paid $13 for it but I would not recommend it to anyone even if the price dropped down to $5! A case study in flawed winemaking...
Posted by: Jerome | April 11, 2005 at 01:53 PM
Thanks for the comment. Are you sure it wasn't merely a flawed bottle? I've not tasted it so I can't offer my own opinion...but they are a well-respected producer...and I have heard good things about their Pinot Gris in addition to the Pinot Noir I enjoyed.
Tell me more about the flavors and what we horrible about it...I'd love to hear.
Posted by: Lenn | April 11, 2005 at 01:57 PM