2000 Bearboat Russian River Pinot Noir

[wondersofwine]

I've had this wine twice at a Raleigh restaurant. It is a light garnet, beautiful color, lighter than most French burgundies. Nose and palate: dark fruits, plum, dark currant. Very attractive. Tannins tamed.

[dananne]

Was all set to post on this until I remembered that you beat me to the punch!

Good dark color, and dark fruits. Like Wonders, I also detected the currents (I recently had a current-flavored Swedish sparkling soda, so I recognized it -- otherwise, I may have missed it). Good finish with some tannins that were more present upon opening than after decanting about 30 minutes.

I paid about $18 for it here in Atlanta at a local shop. I enjoyed it, but have had a few nicer ones at similar price points recently. That having been said, I'd buy it again, and I'd enjoy seeing how it ages over the next couple or three years to see how the tannins hold it all together.

Wonders -- maybe it's because we're both in the SE and get similar shipments, or maybe it's because we both drink a lot of pinot, but it seems like I try many of the same ones you try. I enjoy looking for your notes!

[wondersofwine]

Thanks, Dananne. I also had a glass of Bearboat at a restaurant in NYC in March but haven't seen it in the wine shops. (My usual shop has a good selection of white and red burgundies but doesn't carry that many California wines). Probably the next pinot noir I will be opening will be either the Archer's Edge from Archery Summit (Oregon)--the lower end of their pricy wines--or a Savannah-Chanelle from CA (grapes are from Santa Lucia Highlands). But I have a second label Beaucastel, an Australian cabernet, and a couple zinfandels I want to get to first before I return to the pinots.

[dananne]

I'll be looking for your notes -- especially the Archery Summit. I've heard good things about their whole line.

Had a decent Burgundy this weekend. Domaine Tollot-Beaut Chorey-Cote de Beaune. Very dark color and cherries predominant. Heavier than many I've had recently. Little earth, though, which was a slight disappointment, as I like some forest floor and/or pine needle flavors in my pinot. I enjoyed it, though. Bought it for $25 locally. Would have preferred to pay more like $17, but what can you do [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]