1999 Siduri Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir

[wondersofwine]

Well, you warned me that this was a heavily extracted wine. It was a bit too much for the baked ham with pineapple and brown sugar for our Easter dinner. It went better with the Cheshire (cheddar-type) aged cheese. I could even see it with wild game such as rabbit or wild boar although I don't cook those at home.
14.4% alcohol, dark purple color
I picked out dark plum on the nose and plum and brambleberries on the palate (the Wine Spectator description says ripe plums, black cherries and blackberries, spice and cedar) I thought it had a lengthy finish. It seemed to be more Burgundian in style than most California pinot noirs I've had. It was a balanced wine, tasty now but may have some aging potential.
I paid just under $50 each for the two bottles I bought, breaking my rule of not paying over $30 for a domestic wine. I really liked it a lot and will enjoy the second bottle (possibly with epoisse or boursin herb-coated cheese as Randy suggested) but I'm not sure I would buy again at that price (maybe on sale). I can buy a nice premier cru burgundy from Morey-St.-Denis region for $35-$50 so might prefer to spend my wine budget there.
Bucko mentioned some green, stemmy p.n. from Siduri in the past. I noted on the winery website that they admitted a problem with green stems and seeds in the 1999 harvest so compensated by destemming most of the grapes before vinifying. Seems to have worked with the Pisoni wine. In their notes on the 2000 harvest they say the stems and seeds were more mature at harvest and that flavors bode well for the 2000 wines. Ah, I may be tempted to try the 2000's despite the high price! Such is the seduction power of a good wine!
P.S. Forgot to mention that the Pisoni Vineyard is in Monterey's Santa Lucia region.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 04-02-2002).]

[Thomas]

I don't know, all that extract and all those berries--doesn't say Burgundian to me. And Burgundies normally top out at 13% alc.

[vinman]

Wondersofwine,
Thanks for the neat notes on the Pisoni! I'm addicted to Santa Lucia fruit and have sampled as many of the grapes from the vineyards as my meager wallet will allow. Ordered the 2000, do not know what to expect but have also noted that the Lee's have suggested that the difficulties are over. Am leaving in a few days to spend a much too brief two weeks in Pinot country to enjoy my favorite prince and learn why I cannot put the good stuff down, in favor of something less expensive. Suggestions?

[wondersofwine]

Another winery specializing in Pinot Noir is Savannah-Chanelle. I think their winery is at Saratoga, CA (check the website) but they make a p.n. from the Santa Lucia Highlands that I liked (a lighter wine than the Pisoni).
Website is http://www.webwinery.com/SavannahChanelle/
SavannahChanelle.html
located 3-4 miles from village of Saratoga in the Santa Cruz mountains

[Innkeeper]

Have made many posts on the Logan, Sleepy Hallow Vineyard. Have many in my rack. The '98 picked up on the last trip tasted better than the '97 which was wonderful. Could be the best buy under $20 in an American Pinot.

[jock]

Hi Wonders

Have to agree with Foodie. The Siduris are anything but Burgundian.

If you like the Siduris there are a couple of others you should try. Robert Mueller's 1999 Emilie's Cuvee is not necessarily Burgundian but it does remind me of Nuits St Georges on the nose. Very earthy and very good.

You may also want to try the 1999 single vineyard wines from Hartford Court. Very big wines but balanced with great Pinot Noir fruit on both the nose and palate. I particularlly liked the Marin and Arrendel.

Unfortunately none of these will save you any money [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/biggrin.gif[/img]

[winoweenie]

Think I posted on the Muellers' Emilys' some time back. Big, bad, bold dude. WW

[wondersofwine]

Jock, thanks for the suggestions but if they're in the same price range as the Siduri wines I may stick with on-sale burgundies. I will try the Sleep Hollow suggestion since it has a cheaper price tag.

[Innkeeper]

WOW since you do not have an e-mail address posted, e-mail me and I'll tell you where to get the Logan, Sleepy Hallow Vineyard, Pinot Noir.

[jock]

WOW

Hartford Court's second, label just plain Hartford, is better than most first labels. The 1999 Sonoma Coast should be around $20 give of take. It is very good.

Also look for Lynmar for some excellent RR PN priced in between.