Pinots and Unoaked American Reds

[stevebody]

I'm posting this here because I AM a novice when it comes to Pinot, in many ways. I have to choose from the ocean of Pinot Noir out there, about most of which I'm totally underwhelmed. I have friends here in Seattle helping out but they have agendae(?).

Any thoughts about Pinots - CA, OR, BURG, NZ - that you would want to find in your favorite wine shop? Ditto for unoaked American reds. Know of any that you like?

All help appreciated.

[robr]

I have bottle of Cartlidge and Brown Pinot, which I have not yet popped, but have been told is very good, and affordable (about $10).

[wondersofwine]

My recommendations, include a few big Pinot Noirs such as Siduri Pisoni and Loring Wine Company (Clos Pepe, Brousseau, Gary's Vineyard). For mainstream Carneros look to Saintsbury Garnet and Carneros and maybe the Reserve Pinot Noir. Russian River Valley try to get the 2002 Gary Farrell if still available and maybe Selby. Merry Edwards would be a coup but she sells mostly to restaurants or direct from the winery. For Oregon I like Argyle, Ponzi, Torii Mor, Adelsheim, maybe Chehalem. Have seen good reports on Ken Wright and Patricia Green and Sineann but don't have personal experience with them. Archery Summit has good fruit but uses a lot of wood. You may want to carry the upper end such as Beaux Freres and Domaine Drouhin. Again, I lack personal experience. I forgot to include R. Stuart "Big Fire" Pinot Noir, a new label that I like (he used to be with Erath).


[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 07-18-2005).]

[dananne]

As a big Pinot fan and consumer, I'd just add a few things to what Wonders had to say. In general, I like to see fresh stuff when I shop for Pinot -- nothing against them, but you can buy, say, King Estate or Erath anywhere. I get excited when I see things that I can't find elsewhere. Stuff I've enjoyed recently but don't see on shelves very often include the following producers: Vision Cellars, Martinelli, Talley, Babcock, Steven Vincent (good QPR), Daniel Gehrs, Patricia Green, and Penner-Ash. Agree also with the suggestions made by Wonders, which gives a good spectrum across style, region, and price point.

[californiagirl]

just a few more... Panther Creek, Mayro-Murdick, anyone say A.P.Vin?, Kosta Browne, and Clos Pepe

[TheEngineer]

I love Burgundies now! I would recommend that you try some of the 2002's even if they are villages as the entire region did well that year. Someone here pointed me towards Joseph Drouglin (SP??) and thei turned out wonderful. Also, many wines from Marsannay are also rather affordable. Many burgundies even from this nice vintage are cheaper than their US counterparts.

[Capocheny]

Hi Eng...

It's spelt, "Drouhin." [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Have you tried the Domaine des Perdrix Echezeaux Grand Cru 2002? Or, the Saintsbury Browns Ranch? Or, the Marimar Torres? All are terrific pinots, IMHO. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

So many wines... so little time!

Cheers

[This message has been edited by Capocheny (edited 07-23-2005).]

[dananne]

Add Ken Wright to my list. Had the '02 Nysa this weekend, and it was one of the best Pinots we've ever had.

[TheEngineer]

Cap,

Thanks for the heads up and the spelling correction.

I love the wines from Vosne Romanee and I very much like the wines from Echx and Grnd Echx....and do have a few lying around hehehe..(...they make me all the poorer??). I've not had the one you noted but will look them them next time out!