Peaking Pinot

[WineKC30]

I'm in search of a Pinot Noir of moderate to low price (less than $40/bottle) that would be considered to be peaking this year. Any recommendations?

[winoweenie]

Hi QWineKC and welcome to the board. If you peruse this thread back for 90 days or so you'll find many posts on drinkable Pinots. My personal favorite is Duckhorns' Migration 2002 model. Fine drinking stuff and in the mid to low 20s'. WW

[WineKC30]

Thanks for the direction WW. Some very nice suggestions traced back through the past 90 days or so. Being new to the Wine Board and living in the isolated midwest, I am looking for some widely available wines, one of which I enjoyed last evening from Jekel Vineyards (quite common, but a nice drink) - 2001 Monterey Pinot. Light smoky, black cherry and mild cinnamon - the finish left a bit to be desired. Any opinions on a grape varietal popularly grown in Missouri - the Chambourcin? This has been compared to and is related to the Pinot Noir, but I can't imagine it would be in the same league. Any opinions?

[winoweenie]

Lived in both KC and Wichita, graduated from M.U. but am not familiar with the grape nor any Missouri wineries. As long as you're there mite as well try a bottle of the stuff. At worst you can unclog your bathroom drain. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[dananne]

Chambourcin is a French hybrid grape that produces a dark-colored wine with more tannins than one would normally expect with a hybrid. They are generally medium-bodied, and in better examples they don't really show the "foxy" flavors, but are rather very fruity and aromatic. I wouldn't compare them to PN, but really wouldn't know what to compare them to, actually.

I've heard that Missouri wineries have been doing some good things with the grape, but I've heard better things about what they're doing with the Norton grape. I'd suggest trying one of those, too!

[WineKC30]

WW - Fellow MU alum as well.

dananne - Thanks for the tip on the Norton. We will be hitting a few of the western part of the state's "wineries" (because that's all there is - a few) this weekend. Hoping to have something positive to report. I know you will be waiting on the edge of your seat for an update. [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[Innkeeper]

The Norton from Mount Pleasant is very nice, as are others from MO. Don't think they are quite on the par with a couple or three from Virginia. Do wish the grape would get more national respect.