Saintsbury Brown Ranch Pinot Noir

[wondersofwine]

I'm finally going to get around this week to posting my notes about a Saintsbury-sponsored tasting in Charlotte, NC comparing Saintsbury Pinot Noirs to red Burgundies. I was impressed with most of the Saintsbury line-up and particularly the Brown Ranch (extravagantly expensive). Wondered if WW or any others among you have tried it and your impressions.

[Innkeeper]

Have enjoyed, as you may suspect, their entry level stuff in the past.

[winoweenie]

Haven't tried the Brown Ranch bottling but have always loved their regular bottling. Will try to find the Brown. WW

[Bucko]

I've tried it in two vintages but couldn't get past all of the new oak. Beautiful fruit though!

[Innkeeper]

Dan Berger (who has a Pinot palate similiar to Bucko's) has this to say about the "Brown Ranch": "Other wines in the blind tasting (of Carneros Pinots) and not scoring well included 2002 Acacia "Beckstoffer" ($60); 2001 Etude "Heirloom" ($80); and 2000 Saintsbury "Brown Ranch" $75). Most were judged to be too alcoholic or tannic or both." ("Dan Berger's Vintage Experiances", July 8, 2004).

[wondersofwine]

I still haven't posted my notes--need to hunt them up at home. WW, go ahead and try the Brown Ranch if you can find it--your opinion may differ from Bucko's or Berger's.

IK and Bucko, thanks for your replies. I wanted opinions and got them.

[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 07-07-2004).]

[Bucko]

I've just become quite unforgiving of overoaked, flabby-assed wines. There's no excuse in my books. There are people who like these and I am certainly not going to denigrate them..... just not for me. Wine is all about choices.