2 Steele Carneros Pinot Noir Vintages

[wondersofwine]

2000 Steele Carneros Pinot Noir
13% alcohol; paid $24.99 but I believe it was $18 from the winery)
purple color with crimson glints; effusive aroma of cherries and dark plums; a bit tart midpalate--benefits from food pairings; slightly chewy texture

2001 Steele Carneros Pinot NOir
13.5% alcohol
Holding both glasses up to the light, the 2001 seemed less dense, brighter clarity in a dark crimson shade. More cherry, less plum on the nose and palate. Longer finish. Slightly chewy texture if you hold it in the mouth before swallowing. Nice with seafood-stuffed mushrooms. I prefered it to the 2000 vintage. Similar enough to the 2000 that in a blind tasting if you were told that two of the Pinot Noirs were from the same producer and region from different vintages, you would probably pick these two out.