The Pinot Noir Episode – Episode #317

September 19, 2007

Gary Vaynerchuk explores some Pinot Noir’s from different parts of the world.

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“If you like Mayer-Nakel Spätburgunder (pronounced with a long-A, by t…” by Bonn Professor
“Good show. I’ll try a pinot in the future and try to dig it (hopefull…” by Dessert Wine Nerd
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Castle Rock Pinot Noir SonomaSonoma Pinot Noir
2006 Coopers Creek Pinot NoirNew Zealand Pinot Noir
2005 Ghisolfi PinayLanghe
2004 Meyer Nakel Pinot Noir AhrGerman Red Wine

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Gary on Conan

230 Responses

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September 20, 2007

jj
QoD:
September 20, 2007

Totte
QotD : IÂ´m not mad at Pinot. Not mad about it either. I think the gap between the average Pinots and the terrific ones are huge. Bigger than with any other grape.

Swedish T
September 20, 2007

W Miree
QOTD: No. I’m not mad at Pinot. In a universal sense, I’m exremely happy that there are so many new converts to Pinot Noir. But in a selfish sense, I regret that this new popularity has resulted in dramatically increased prices. On the other hand, Pinot is simply following the path of the other popular varietals, especially the high quality versions, in dramatically increasing prices. Prices of really top New world Pinots have reached the levels of the higher quality Burgundies(Chassagne, Puligny, Charmes, Gevrey, Vougeot, Echezeaux)of just a few vintages ago. Of course, these Burgundies have now reached even higher price levels, but at least have the partial excuse of the weakening dollar. Nevertheless, the overall quality (and breadth of quality)of new world Pinot has risen equally dramatically relative to their prices over the last 7-10 years. Ten years ago, no one would have believed there would be such high quality Pinot from Oregon or California, much less from New Zealand, Germany, Australia, or Italy.

Last week, I conducted a blind tasting of 8 mature top quality California and Oregon Pinots. This tasting group (half of whom are in the trade)started over 30 years ago, and to the person has a preference for Pinot, and especially red Burgundy. Half the wines were guessed to be Premier or Grand Cru Burgundies. This increase in new world quality would probably have taken place eventually, but not in such a surge, but for the increased popularity of the varietal. I certainly cannot build a case for being “mad” at that!
September 20, 2007

Chris G
Have always been crazy about Pinot and have always been mad at the price! Along with my bank manager, but I got in to Pinot through Burgundy so am used to (if not happy with) the cost. However, price can force one to try other things and that has been, ultimately, to my advantage. So, mad at Pinot? No, all is forgiven.
September 20, 2007

Bonzo
I’m a bit confused, and have been for some time now, about the glasses used in tasting wines. I recall an episode where Gary tasted wines using different wine glasses that were designed for particular varietals. He expressed his amazement that they actually DO affect the nose and taste of wines. Since that time, I have seen Gary use different glasses on different days, and sometimes whips out his “big-ol’-glass” (appears to be a Riedel Sommelier Burgundy)when he wishes to taste ‘really big wines’. First of all, that would seem to give an advantage to wines that are prejudged to be particularly good. Second, this episode (#317) presents tastings of Pinot Noirs; but the glass used for the tasting appears to be one designed for cabs (or ‘red’ wines) and is not the big-ol’-glass which was designed FOR Pinot Noirs. In fact, the Burgundy glass has been used to taste Cabs and several other wines for which it was not designed. It seems to me that either all wines should be tasted with the same glass, or with the same glass as is appropriate to the varietal.

Also, Gary is fond of saying that he doesn’t like chilled wine but prefers room temperature. He justifies that by saying that the wines have better aroma and bloom (paraphased) than when chilled, so obviously temperature has some affect. So, what would Gary’s room temperature be? 70 as in many offices/businesses or 84 as in many Chicago apartments in the winter? Perhaps these two issues are why he sometimes disagrees with Parker or other reviewers whom he obviously respects? I’m not disagreeing with his methods, it would just be nice to know the tasting conditions and why they are not held constant.
September 20, 2007

stewart l
I have always liked pinot’s and enjoy tasting the different varieties from NZ, South Africa, and Chile. I don’t like the recent price tags though- esp. CA and Oregon pinot’s
September 20, 2007

Robin C.
QOTD: I don’t know how I feel about Pinot anymore. I used to be mad because so many cheap pinots were bing made, I used to feel that the only good pinot was an over $35.00 pinot, now I don’t even know how a pinot is supposed to taste. I used to think that pinots were a special occasion wine. I used to think that pinots had to have a lot of silk. I guess I’m more open to changing my thoughts about pinots.
September 20, 2007

Susan
Gary-Great Ep!! QOTD: Not me! I don’t get mad or upset over little things. Life is tooooooooooo short for that sort of behavior!!!!
September 20, 2007

Zgray
I like Pinot when it doesn’t have a sour component to it. It’s usually great with pork. But I ain’t mad at it. Great show
September 20, 2007

sharon
Tastes like sod? I am so there. Love the loamy earth-based flavors/aromas.
QotD: No. Not Pinot the wine. Ask me if I’m mad about false markets, about ‘tulip’ selling frenzies I’ll tell you a different story. I’m more annoyed with people being so foolish. Um human, I mean.
September 20, 2007

akellner
I like Pinot. I also like Merlot — there I said it! I’m a fan of oregon pinot in particular, when I visted my sister-in-law in Eugene we went to some of the smaller producers in the Willamette valley and tasted a WIDE range of pinot fromt he fruity to the smokey. Maybe a tasting of Vosne-Romanee (no, not those, but some in the lower price point) would be an interesting counterpart to this one.
September 20, 2007

Garry Clark
Actually Lawrence, Cheval Blanc is almost unique in that it is mostly Cabernet Franc.
September 20, 2007

Penney
QOTD: I’m not mad at Pinot Noir. Maybe a little frustrated. It seems like the only bottle that I have REALLY liked is around $40/bottle (DeLoach OFS Pinot Noir, 2003 or 2004 I can’t remember). I liked it so much that that is all I want when it comes to Pinot. I haven’t found another taste like it.
September 20, 2007

Lindsay
I’m just disappointed. I LOVE Pinot. I love fruit, I’m one of those new world people you talk about who developed her extremely amateur palate in central coast California.

And now I can’t get a decent one where I work for less than $20. So I’ve been trying other things — ultimately a good thing!
September 20, 2007

Lawrence Leichtman
Nope, not mad at Pinot. so many different tastes to appreciate. Yeah a bit disappointed by how expensive it is but consider high end Burgundies. Probably 90% of the people who watched Sideways had no clue that Pinot Noir is the grape of Burgundy. Just like they would have little idea that Cheval Blanc is mostly Merlot. It was just a movie not a life-changing event.

By the way I’m just watching Monday episode on Thursday. What happened?
September 20, 2007

Jeff
nice nice nice Gary
am not mad; but a bit disappointed because:
Pinots being made too big and fruity.
Burgundy not affordable enough.
Oregon not living up to expectations (see reason #1).
but other parts of the world are doing interesting things with Pinot; we will see (and keep drinking white while we wait!)
September 20, 2007

thepiratedoc
Not mad AT pinot. Mad I’d never really sampled it before the movie.

Gary I am so glad I found your site and have to give you major kudos for what you are doing. Loved the Conan clip — Here’s a QOTD for YOU: What is the strangest thing you have ever tasted in order to build your palate? I’m guessing you pazzed on the pig poo. Did you happen to see the “Dirty Jobs” segment on winery dregs recently? Keep up the good work.

No guaranteed wins for the Jets since they don’t play the Raiders this year, sorry.
September 20, 2007

Jeanne
QOTD : How could anyone be mad at a grape? Oh, maybe you start out a little annoyed – unhappy even – but eventually you come around again. You can’t stay mad at a grape forever. It just wouldn’t be right. And eventually you realize – it was never the grapes fault to begin with.
September 20, 2007

Nathan
Glad to hear such an inexpensive PN did well.

QOTD: Yes, because I have no luck with PN. I loved the Seasmoke Southing and Botella, and the Londer, but have yet to find a great Burgundy. I spent $70 on a bottle of Burgundy recommended to me by the staff at a wine shop, and we didn’t even finish it. Is it possible I lean towards the New World with PN? Doubtful. I don’t know, but it seems difficult to find well crafted Pinot. Other than those I mentioned above, the La Crema comes to mind as being memorable. When asked if I’ve had a Burgundy, and I tell my $70 story, I’m told that good Burgundy will cost me $200.00.
September 20, 2007

Mrzitro
QOTD: I’m not mad.

Are you mad at McCareins for dropping that pass?
September 20, 2007

CUSE WINO
QOTD- I don’t hate the playa, I hate the game! The price of everything is going up so it is just the way of the wine world.
September 20, 2007

Dr. Dan
QOTD: I’m furious. But, it has forced me to try many other wines, which has been a very good thing (silver lining).
September 20, 2007

Jayhitek
I like Pinot Noir. I liked it before the movie. But now that it has exploded I like that I have a lot more choices, hate that the prices have shot up..
September 20, 2007

See-ming Lee
This comment is meant for your entire vlog. Your tasting notes are very real and truly inspiring. Your spitting action is light years beyond my dad’s. Kudos!

/SML
September 20, 2007

Chad
QOTD: Not mad at Pinot, it’s what got me excited about wine. No, not from Sideways, but from a wine tasting at Disney’s Food and Wine Festival back in ‘02.