Best of 2011 Pinot Noir

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Napoma 2009 Pinot Noir Sunny View Vineyard – $26 per bottle
Russian River Valley

Beautiful aromas of Bing cherry, strawberry, flowers, spices, earth, and cedar. Med-full bodied, and pretty well structured for a Pinot. Gorgeous red and black berry flavors, forest floor, cinnamon, clove, root beer, vanilla oak, nice acidity, and very nicely balanced. Hard to beat the price for this kind of quality. ~150 cases produced

L’Objet Noir 2009 Pinot Noir Reserve Cuvee – $30

This unique and delicious Pinot Noir comes from select vineyards in four of the best appellations for growing Pinot Noir; Anderson Valley, Russian River Valley, Sonoma Coast, and Santa Maria Valley. This classic Pinot Noir has aromas of dark cherries, black berry, nutmeg, cinnamon, cola, leather and vanilla with earthy undertones.  The palate is very balanced. Cherry, black berry and black plum predominate with mushroom, cinnamon, clove and allspice.  It finishes with hints of dark chocolate and vanilla.  The mouth feel is structured yet soft giving it a very smooth and long finish. A luscious, velvety blend that will pair well with everything from poultry, salmon, pork, lamb to earthy vegetables.  Winemaker Dan Glover has really hit the mark with this one!

Brewer Clifton 2009 Pinot Noir Santa Rita Hills – $32

From Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate:

“The 2009 Pinot Noir is a highly expressive wine. Sweet red fruit, herbs, licorice, dried flowers and mint are some of the notes that emerge from this mid-weight Pinot. The 100% stems come through in the wine’s aromatic profile and high-toned finish. This is a terrific introduction to the house style and a fabulous effort at this level. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020.” 92 pts

Desmond Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir – $38
Russian River Valley

From the tiny 5 acre Russian River Vineyard comes this classic Russian River Valley Pinot Noir. Owner/grower/winemkaer, Bill Robbins made a total of 150 cases of this marvelous Pinot that remains under the radar…for now! Great flavors of cherry, raspberry, clove, exotic spices, and vanilla oak. Velvety and silky in the mouth, the wine is beautifully balanced between fruit, acid, tannins, and alcohol. Just gorgeous!

Lula 2009 Pinot Noir – $39
Mendocino County

The vineyard source in the small town of Comptche, located high in the hills near the Pacific Ocean. This benchmark Pinot Noir has classic aromatics of Bing cherry, cola and spice on the nose. The flavors of cranberry and Bing cherry take center stage on the palate. Complexity develops with nuances of plum, tea, clove, and a hint of vanilla oak. Just the right balance of fruit, tannin and acidity create an extravagant and sensual wine experience. True to its mountain origins, the wine is dark, rich and full-bodied!

Miura 2007 Pinot Noir Williams Ranch Vineyard – $50 (Reg. $62)
Anderson Valley

Made with fruit from Burt Williams (Williams Selyem) vineyard in Anderson Valley. The 2007 MIURA Williams Ranch Pinot Noir exhibits that proverbial “fist in a velvet glove”.  Starting off with impressive aromas of ripe cherry, raspberry, spice box, and subtle vanilla oak; continuing on the palate with added nuances of cranberry, cocoa, Sarsaparilla, and clove.

The mouthfeel is luxurious and velvety yet structured with supple tannins.  Added bottle age has allowed the wine to evolve into a seamless, well-balanced, stunning wine.

Small Vines 2009 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – $50 (Reg. $55)

Grower/winemaker Paul Sloan has done himself with his lineup from the 2009 vintage. This delicious Russian River Pinot Noir is sourced from premier vineyards Sloan farms that are planted using narrow spacing for optimum fruit development. Highlighting balance and structure in beautiful harmony, this Russian River Pinot Noir retains the classic violet notes, amid rich cherry-rhubarb combined with pomegranate. A sensory delight, finishing with palate pleasing minerality – a fantastic food wine. Pure enchantment. Enjoy this wine now with air or until 2020+.

Brewer Clifton 2009 Pinot Noir Ampelos Vineyard – $57
Santa Rita Hills

From Antonio Galloni, Wine Advocate:

“The 2009 Pinot Noir Ampelos comes across as quite energetic and tightly wound. Dark cherries, plums, sweet spices and menthol emerge, but only with great reluctance. Sweet floral notes and licorice appear later, adding complexity and nuance to the red fruit. There is marvelous integrity in the glass; the only thing needed is time. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2021.” 92 pts

Small Vines 2009 Pinot Noir MK Vineyard – $65 (Reg. $71.50)
Sonoma Coast

This is a FABULOUS Pinot Noir. Paul Sloan knows this vineyard inside and out. His skill and talent as a winemaker is evident with this 2009 MK Vineyard Pinot Noir, his best effort to date, evidence that he is now a complete “Vigneron”. Luminous Ruby color lights up your glass. A mix of floral notes and red fruit aromatics. Deep black cherry without being sweet, more savory. Fresh acidity giving vibrancy and at the same time weighty with a unique velvet texture. Structure for days, striking precision, vibrant fruit and a pleasing minerality. This one will reward you with age, enjoy now with decanting or hold for up to 10+ years. 145 cases produced.

Walker Station 2009 Pinot Noir Leslie Vineyard – $68
Russian River Valley

Harry Walker sells fruit to Paul Hobbs, and in turn, Hobbs makes this amazing Pinot Noir for him. More of a “masculine” Pinot Noir, with extensive complexity, structure and depth.

WOW!  The 2009 is extremely dark for Pinot Noir; dense, deep ruby to purple.  All Calera clone.  Intense aromas and flavors that keep unfolding:  Chocolate, sweet rich black cherry, kirsch, cassis, baking spices, pie crust, sarsaparilla, cherry pie, sweet cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, a hint of ginger and clove.  With a fine, sweet finish, excellent grip, supple yet firm tannins, ample acidity to hold it all together.  Rich elegant and very full flavored.

Clouds Rest 2005 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast – $100

Often referred to as “The Holy Grail” of California Pinot Noir, the Clouds Rest Pinots are thought by many to be California’s version of “Grand Cru” quality wines. Max Riedel (of the famous Riedel Crystal) had heard about this “remarkable Pinot producer”, so he made a trip from Austria to visit Clouds Rest.  He told proprietor, John Saemon that their vineyards were “the healthiest he had ever seen in California” and that the Clouds Rest was “the only Pinot Noir he had ever tasted in America that should be in his Vinum Burgundy glass because no one else makes Pinot Noir in the true Burgundian style like this.”  French journalist Blair Graves wrote in the Huffington Post: “I was almost in tears they were so good.”  And she lives in Paris, so you can imagine the wines she has access to on a regular basis.

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