Three California Pinot Noirs

[wondersofwine]

At the Pinehurst Wine Festival over Labor Day weekend (the rest of my notes are under Wine Events and Festivals)I tried three Pinot Noir wines from the Carneros District. I had been eager to try the Saintsbury since I had heard favorable things about them and the Saintsbury Pinot Noir from Carneros was a nice wine. The next tasting table was ZD Pinot Noir also from Carneros and tasting it right after the Saintsbury my preference was for the ZD entry. In fact I voted for the ZD Pinot Noir as my favorite red of the festival (I'm more into Pinot Noir and Burgundies than Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux). A night or two later I tried the Carneros Creek Pinot Noir but still found ZD to be my favorite. Now I'm eager to try some of the Oregon PNs to compare. Anyone else have an opinion on the ZD PNs?

[Bucko]

I like ZD Winery. Their Cabs can be quite stunning but I don't remember drinking one of their Pinots.

[winoweenie]

WOW, the 97 ZD Pinot is a really good bottle. You didn't post the vintage, but if it was the 97, I cocur most heartedly. WW

[ddf68]

I had one a few years ago, can't remember the vintage. Soft and easy drinking is my recollection. It was good, but didn't show a lot of character.

Had 2000 Saintsbury Garnet last weekend. Good balance and plenty of red berry flavors. The waitress said "Garnet" refers to this wine being lighter in color (and body?). I didn't find that to be the case. It was medium bodied and in the lighter end of the typical Pinot color range.

ddf

ddf

[This message has been edited by ddf68 (edited 09-05-2001).]

[winoweenie]

DDF & WOW, the Garnet is the 2nd label( cheaper) wine by this fine producer. The Carneros is a super bottle of juice normally. Haven't tried the 97 or 98 so no notes. WW

[wondersofwine]

The one I found so attractive at the tasting was a 1999. The distributor or winery didn't bring many bottles to the festival so the two bottles I purchased to take home were 1998 vintage. I haven't tried them yet but hope they won't be a disappointment. If you can find a 1999, buy one bottle and give it a try. Hopefully, you'll enjoy it. Thanks for your responses.