2005 Big Fire Pinot Noir

[Drew]

An Oregon Rob Stuart wine.
Really nice value Oregon Pinot showing cherry, dark berry, tea and cola notes with a good earthy base. Nicely balanced with a linguring finish, you can't beat this pinot for $16. 13.5%Alc/vol. Screw cap.

Drew

[wondersofwine]

I've liked this in a previous vintage I tried. Wish I could find it locally since at that price point it doesn't make sense to ship it to North Carolina.

[dananne]

We visited R. Stuart last summer, but didn't enjoy the wines. It may have had something to do with them being served too warm, and it tasted like the wines had been sitting out in the tasting room for a few days (maybe they don't change them out as often as they should when it's slow). At any rate, they weren't pouring the '05s yet. It'll be interesting to watch these '05s as they hit the shelves, as the buzz out there is that it may be one of the best Oregon vintages ever. We've only had one '05 so far, from Ken Wright, and it was stunning.

Thanks for the notes.

[VouvrayHead]

I'm not usually a fan of the Erath Pinot Noir, but the '05 is by far the best I've had from them... Similar price point to Big Fire, maybe a buck or two cheaper.

[wondersofwine]

I spoke too soon about the Big Fire not being available locally. Apparently a distributor has picked it up. The 2005 Big Fire Pinot Noir was among the wines open for a free tasting at Hilltop House Restaurant in Fayetteville yesterday evening (will post on the others later under Rants and Raves.)
I bought a bottle ($19) to take home and will open in the next 2-3 weeks and bring more definitive notes. I did like it at the restaurant. I was getting a nice raspberry nose but also some tobacco smell, unusual for a Pinot, and I wondered if that was from the wine or from the walls of the restaurant. The bottle at home should tell the tale. Among the flavors I found raspberry, cherry and spice. (The description provided to us--from the sommelier or the distributor or label?--spoke of loads of vanilla as well but I didn't really get that which is a good thing in my book.)



[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 04-25-2007).]