Newbie here

[Innkeeper]

Which Turning Leaf. There are two levels. The lower level is barely fit for cooking. Passed it up for Smoking Loon last time we made Beef Bourgondien.

[wondersofwine]

Tasting is partly natural palate and partly an educational process IMHO. It will start out slowly with vague generalizations such as "dark fruits", "berries," "citrus" "spices" etc. Maybe after more practice you will be detecting more specific aromas and flavors such as "plum," "blackberries," "raspberry"
"coffee" "chocolate" "nutmeg" "white pepper"
"clove" "lemon" "grapefruit" etc. Also minerals such as stone, flint, and vegetation such as "grass" "asparagus" "green pepper". Andrea Immer's book "Great Wines Made Simple" might help with tastings. There are many others available also such as the Windows on the World Complete Wine Course. I still find that some wines speak to me clearly in the aroma and taste and some seem muted or nondescriptive.

[Miles Raymond]

I'm not sure.

It retailed at about $10.00.

I read in another thread someone talking highly of Smoking Loon Pinot Noir but I have not been able to find any. All I seem to come across is Cabernet and Chardonnay and Merlot.

[This message has been edited by Miles Raymond (edited 02-10-2005).]

[Innkeeper]

It was probably me talking about the Smoking Loon, but it was at the $6 or $7 level, which is where to first tier Turning Leaf was. It is the second tier that is at the $10 price point, and noticably better quality.

[Zinner]

Miles, it is normal for you to get a better idea of the tastes after a couple of sips. In the wine biz, sometimes they say "the first sip is mouthwash."

They mean that sometimes you'll have another taste in your mouth that needs to be cleared. Then with the second sip, you can really taste the wine.

A lot of being able to distinguish the flavors is just learning to focus your attention and remember how things tasted. Like anything, it gets easier with practice.

[Miles Raymond]

So I'm normal (relatively speaking depending on who you ask).

Stopped at a local wine shop and talked with the guy there. He seemed pretty knowledgeable. I told him what I've tried and what I like and the price range that I'm looking to hit.

He recommended Frei Bothers Reserve Russian River Valley 2002 and Saintsbury 2002 Carneros both Pinot Noirs, which is what I like.

I Shared theses with a friend and a cheese platter and we though they we just wonderful.

[wondersofwine]

I liked the 2002 Frei Brothers Reserve Pinot Noir (see http://www.wines.com/ubb2/Forum12/HTML/000252.html) and I generally like the Saintsbury Pinot Noirs. Looks like you are getting good advice from the local wine guy.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 02-12-2005).]