Yes its a yank PN, so...........
Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
IÂ’m not a big fan of Pinot Noir. Its not because I donÂ’t like the grape, or the wine it makes, its just that IÂ’ve never had a really good pinot. And its not that I havenÂ’t looked, Australia, California, Pacific Northwest, and France have all been part of the search. OK, maybe I have not looked in the right vineyards and not spent the right amount of money to buy the pleasure of a great pinot. But I have never equated spending a lot of money on a bottle of wine as equaling quality, and particularly not the great pleasure that can come from drinking an unexpectedly good wine.
Unexpectedly good wine was what was in the glass of Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir that I sampled at the Vintage Wines Wine Bar on Saturday. IÂ’d gone there for the Aussie Values tasting (more about that later in the week) and decided that I would try a few of the wines on the Wine Bar. Call it the SIDEWAYS effect, simple interest or just plain thirst, but I pointed out the Paul Hobbs as one of the five wines I wanted to taste. Among the other wines tasted were an Aussie Shiraz, a California Syrah and a Petite Syrah. Heavy-duty company for a delicate pinot!
Well maybe not so delicate! The 2003 Paul Hobbs Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is a slightly murky cherry red with a red edge; yes its unfiltered. A quick swirl reveals ripe fruit and wonderful spicy aromas that reminded me of ripe quince. In the mouth its medium bodied, very soft and supple with great balance. Others might say “velvety palate feel†but I’ve never tasted velvet. What is velvet is what the wine does in your mouth. If described in detail, it would probably be obscene in several countries. Those spicy, quince-like aromas expand and explode in wave after wave of intensity as you breathe out through your nose; its called retronasal breathing and this wine will give you the real deal! Bloody fantastic.
I bought a bottle for Miranda and me to drink at our leisure over the rest of the weekend. Opened on Saturday night, it was still going strong when I reluctantly finished the last few drops on Sunday night. An excellent Pinot Noir, and the best I can remember having. (2, 2, 4.2, 10.5 = 18.7, (93), 14.6% alcohol. $32.99USD. Tasted April 23-24, 2005.)
Oh, you want to know what Robert Parker, Jr. says about the wine? “The 2003 Pinot Noir Russian River (1,178 cases) shows deep ruby color and a big, sweet nose of cherry jam, intermixed with a hint of rose petals, earth, Allspice, and some wood. It is ripe, medium-bodied, and fruit-driven. Drink it over the next 3-4 years.†Wine Advocate #157 (Feb 2005) 89 Points.
Mike
My First Pinot Noir
Mike,
Good note, Paul Hobbs is an excellent producer of Pinot, Chardonnay and Cab. He also makes a couple of higher-end Pinots that will knock your socks off, but way too pricey. California is definitely Pinot crazy right now, but you want to be careful, there are a lot of really ripe, high alcohol wines around - they can be fun for a few sips, but not necessarily good food wines. You might just find a Dehlinger Pinot these days, the 2002 Estate bottling is excellent at $40. Melville makes some nice wines, with a non-vineyard estate bottling at about $20.
I think I might have recommended Varietals Wine Merchants down on Rosecrans. Brad stocks a pretty good selection of interesting smaller producers, and pretty much brings in stuff he knows is good.
Cheers,
Alan
Good note, Paul Hobbs is an excellent producer of Pinot, Chardonnay and Cab. He also makes a couple of higher-end Pinots that will knock your socks off, but way too pricey. California is definitely Pinot crazy right now, but you want to be careful, there are a lot of really ripe, high alcohol wines around - they can be fun for a few sips, but not necessarily good food wines. You might just find a Dehlinger Pinot these days, the 2002 Estate bottling is excellent at $40. Melville makes some nice wines, with a non-vineyard estate bottling at about $20.
I think I might have recommended Varietals Wine Merchants down on Rosecrans. Brad stocks a pretty good selection of interesting smaller producers, and pretty much brings in stuff he knows is good.
Cheers,
Alan
Hello,
Pinot Noir is in my opinion, the greatest red grape on Earth which makes the greatest wines on Earth.
I think it makes the most complex wines, which reflect terrior more than any other, but unfortunately is also the most tempermental grape.
It is dissapointing that its lack of boldness turns people away. I feel sorry for them, because if they looked a little deeper they would find an unimaginable spectrum of nuances, that easily makes up for its lack of punch.
Pinot Noir is in my opinion, the greatest red grape on Earth which makes the greatest wines on Earth.
I think it makes the most complex wines, which reflect terrior more than any other, but unfortunately is also the most tempermental grape.
It is dissapointing that its lack of boldness turns people away. I feel sorry for them, because if they looked a little deeper they would find an unimaginable spectrum of nuances, that easily makes up for its lack of punch.
Maximus wrote:And so starts the great debate!
Pinot vs Shiraz
Knowing the heavy posters of this forum, I can tell this battle will be one sided. A loud and bold voice from the Pinotphiles!
We are far too refined to stoop to bagging the peeeennnooophiles.
Shiraz rules.
Graham
Chardonnay: A drink you have when there is no RED wine, the beer hasn't arrived and the water may be polluted
Peewhat?
It might be my advancing age but despite being a confirmed big style red drinker I do very much enjoy a very good Pinot, it's just that they are few and far between.
I like them to show good Pinot vinosity, too many are light reds that you struggle to taste Pinot flavour. Ones to bring me back are Ashton Hills Estate wine, particularly 1997 & 2002, Barrett Reserve 2002, Dalwhinnie 2000 & 2001 (from memory).
I might bag Peeno drinkers but it's always tongue in cheek. If you know of other Pinots that taste like Pinot, let me know.
It might be my advancing age but despite being a confirmed big style red drinker I do very much enjoy a very good Pinot, it's just that they are few and far between.
I like them to show good Pinot vinosity, too many are light reds that you struggle to taste Pinot flavour. Ones to bring me back are Ashton Hills Estate wine, particularly 1997 & 2002, Barrett Reserve 2002, Dalwhinnie 2000 & 2001 (from memory).
I might bag Peeno drinkers but it's always tongue in cheek. If you know of other Pinots that taste like Pinot, let me know.
Cheers - Steve
If you can see through it, it's not worth drinking!
If you can see through it, it's not worth drinking!
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KMP
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707 wrote:Mike, how could you let yourself stoop to Pinot level?
Now take a deep snort of BIG shiraz to get yourself out of this malaise!
Steve
Just wait until I post my TN for the 2003 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr LGK Auslese, Gessinger that was tasted on the same day! Wonderful wine.
The real problem is this French stuff I've been drinking lately in order to get the palate ready for a Bordeaux tasting next month.
We even opened a Gigondas last night. Wine was a gift and I don't know anything about the domaine, probably a minor one - must look it up. Anyway it was corked. And there was I hoping for a little bit of French grenache.
Speaking of a deep snort of BIG shiraz they are going to be holding a Bring that bottle night tasting at my favorite wine shop in June. Its described as This tasting will be a chance for you to bring that great find, or the bottle you have been saving to have with people who will truly appreciate its greatness. Bring a bottle that you love and explore the wines that others in the group covet. This will just be a fun night of tasting and conversation.
I was thinking 2002 KALLESKE Greenock Shiraz. That should wake a few taste buds up!
Mike