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Twomey 2008 Russian River Valley Pinot Noir – Sonoma, CA
Cost: $42/bottle

From the fine folks out in Alexander Valley (Silver Oak)— they have produced another label called Twomey for some years now, and this is my first taste of their pinot noir. The color is a transparent ruby, light to medium-bodied, almost appearing very dilute or even a bit like a rosé. The Twomey’s bouquet is generous however, with nice raspberry and cherry fruit, and heavy toasted oak reminding me of Perugina chocolate cherry cordials. It is an alluring aroma one cannot help keep sniffing. In the mouth, it is certainly light on its fruit and the cherry/raspberry aromatics are consistent in the flavor profile, with good glycerine and alcohol in check. Virtually no tannins, but it is the balanced acidity that provides the structural integrity to the wine. For a 2008 vintage, this wine is certainly young, but I doubt it will get any better than it is today. Seems to me it was built for immediate consumption. For $42 a bottle, don’t cellar this; drink it right away to get your money’s worth.
Rating: 88

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Siduri – Pisoni Vineyard Pinot Noir 2006 – Santa Lucia Highlands, California
Cost: $35-$40/Bottle

This was simply a spectacular pinot noir, with its ripe cherry, strawberry, and blackcherry fruit commingled with some violets, cloves, and just a touch of white cake. It’s smooth and rich in its full-bodied, dark purple/ruby coat. It’s a young wine, with firm acids and some strong tannins but is balanced and harmonious with good levels of alcohol, not-too-sweet glycerine levels, and just the right fruit concentration. Siduri hits a homerun with this 2007 vintage and I am still amazed at the great wines— scratch that— the great pinot noirs coming out of Santa Lucia in California. The price ranges about $5 depending on where you shop in the US; that’s because this wine does have a steady following for the Pisoni Vineyard designate and in some areas, they may charge a mark up more than usual. If you see it, just pick it up and enjoy.

Rating: 93

Black Wing Pinot Noir 2006, South East Australia

Cost: $22/bottle

Nice, deep, garnet red, with moderately full-bodied package. For a pinot noir, it looks strikingly similar to a Californian cabernet sauvignon, but the aroma is all pinot noir, with its vibrant bouquet of cherries, raspberries, cloves, and a hint of sage and thyme. Boldly flavored with rich, ripe red fruit— juicy through and through. The acidity, however, is a bit elevated, so I sense a crispness with each sip. Overall, a wonderful experience from the land down under, where sometimes it’s not always a Shiraz that rules (at least for this evening; this Black Wing pinot noir has raised an eyebrow or two). Delicious.

Rating: 89

Cancilla Cellars Pinot Noir Reserve 2007 – Williamette Valley, Oregon
Cost: $34.99

This is a medium-bodied but dark, ruby red colored pinot noir showcasing a perfumed nose of strawberry, cassis, cherry-pie, clove spice, and Dr. Pepper soda. It has a crisp mouthfeel, with grippy acids and tannins that dry the upper innards of your mouth, but the flavors are potent and laser-like, showcasing an array of red and black fruits that grapples with the mid-palate. Finishes long and dry, but the acidity and tannins linger on the back palate. Overall, a nice pinot noir that you can enjoy with pasta, grilled seafood, and lighter meat dishes.
Rating: 88

Old Rowley – The Islander Estate Vineyard – Non Vintage
Cost: $20/Bottle

This is an old vines Grenache wine, which reveals complex aromas that sing Dr. Pepper and Cherry Cola like scents. In the mouth, it is light and with tight acids that overwhelm the fruit. A bit abrasive on the palate and mouth puckering finish. Too bad, I enjoyed the nose, but the lack of flavor — or shall I say understated, inconsistent flavor — did not appeal to me. Did I catch this wine on an off day? Maybe… but for now, not showing too well.

Rating: 77

Rivers Marie – Occidental Ridge Vineyard – Pinot Noir 2006 – Sonoma, California
Cost: $65/Bottle

Dark garnet red, moderately full bodied, richly textured with an exotic aroma of cherry and strawberry fruit intermixed with cloves, iris flowers, herbal tea, and sandalwood. A sexy nose reminding me of ripe juicy Burgundian style aromatics but with the new world freshness of fruit and ripeness. In the mouth, the midpalate and back palate is impressive with red ripe fruit balanced by fair glycerine levels, unnoticeable alcohol, and a grippy feel from the acidity and tannins. This is outstanding pinot, a perfect match with some nice gamey dishes.

Rating: 91

Williams Selyem – Pinot Noir, Sonoma County 2006
Cost: $36/bottle

Dining at the Stable, one of the 50 or so BYOW restaurants in my neighborhood. Matching with a lunch that comprised of a spinach and chicken empanada and fork-splittable baby back ribs, a juicy pinot noir from the famed cult winery of Williams Selyem fit the bill. This is the low end entry level pinot of this prestigious winery, and it was decent with its fresh strawberry, cherry and iris flowers notes. It is light to medium bodied, a bit diluted in its crimson red color, with a bit of murkiness in clarity. A bit hot with it is 13.9% alcohol, but the flavors do roll through the palate undiminished except for a slight awkwardness on the back end. An okay pinot, not the greatest but provides a glimpse of the more higher end pinots that this wine produces, which are priced 2 to 3 times this one. This one still good as an entry level wine for those looking to get into the California pinot craze.

Rating: 87