2001 Parker Station Pinot Noir

[Drew]

Santa Barabara County Pinot.
QPR ALERT!!...QPR ALERT!!

What a beautiful Pinot for $11 here, (less than that westward). Clear garnet with a nose of crushed cherry, violets and earth. Flavors of cola, tea, dark cherry, brett and a briary, brambly componet. Very flavorful and slightly complex. As good or better than the Castle Rock we've been whoopen which is more fruit. The Parker is more Oregondian in style with terroir showing thru. A very nice, cheap Pinot. 14.8% Alc/vol and shows no heat or negative notes from the elevated alcohol.

Drew

[wondersofwine]

Seems like I've been hearing good things about Santa Barbara Pinot Noirs lately. Will be on the lookout.

[newsguy]

drew,

my regular wine shop has been touting the parker station for a while:

"This is THE best under $10 California pinot noir we have ever tasted. Remarkable breed, sophisticated full palate feel and a finish to make a Burgundian fearful."

that from Bob Sprentall, the owner of B-21, who scored the wine a 90.

but i still haven't tried it yet cause i wasn't too thrilled with their last couple of their $10 burgundy/PN recommendations.

as soon as i started reading your post, i thought: so, how does it compare with the castle rock? and u went ahead and told me.

so, my question now: would you recommend serving both with a meal? if so, which one first?

and thanks for the tip.

[This message has been edited by newsguy (edited 04-22-2004).]

[This message has been edited by newsguy (edited 04-22-2004).]

[Drew]

Keith, you know me, I love a deal and I like both wines but I think the Parker Station is more food friendly and interesting than the Castle Rock. It seems to have a little more complexity and finesse. The Castle Rock is more like a Pinot fruit bomb, imho.

Drew