Pinot Noir Showdown – Episode #418

February 28, 2008

Continuing with the head to head showdown today Gary compares 2 Pinot Noir’s when something totally unexpected happens.

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“QOTD: Marques De La Concordia 2005 Rioja Reserva, perfect new world fr…” by richardvinifera
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2006 Amisfield Pinot Noir Central OtagoNew Zealand Pinot Noir
2005 Phillips Hill Toulouse Pinot NoirOther California Pinot Noir

Links mentioned in todays episode.

Phillips Hills Estates Contact Info

271 Responses

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February 28, 2008

Mario Salas
QOTD: 2005 Konzelman Estate Vidal Ice Wine – Just ethereal on how the nose, body, and finish all worked in unison to “bring the thunder.” Not too sugary sweet, and not too thick or acidic, but JUST RIGHT. Also, the 2004 Mondavi Reserve Napa Valley Cabernet….smooth fruit on the nose with a velvety feel on the mouth and a LOOOOONG finish, hands down one of the best Cabernets that I have ever had.
February 28, 2008

xtrmtk
Love your PN reviews, we have the same tastes in cold region wines.

I hope you’ve tried a few Pinot Noirs from Tasmania. If you like the Central Otago pinots, you’ll probably like the Tassie ones as well. Examples I’ve loved: Freycinet, Dalyrimple, and Stefano. Good stuff being done down there. Some of their sparklers are getting pretty nice too.
February 28, 2008

Katherine
QOTD: I don’t know that I’ve ever had a reaction like that to a wine!

Love these head-to-heads. I’m learning so much from you, GV. And you should see Miss Vivian these days… sitting up like a pro, stuffing all sorts of things into her mouth. The latest foods on her palate: avocado, peas, and green beans. Yum.
February 28, 2008

Rick
Chateau Picoron, Cotes de Castillon, 2001: it blew me out of my socks! Expected a dull Bordeaux, but got a mind-dazzling wine (after long discussions we settles on the aroma (and taste) of boar in a mushroom sauce, but a very rich sauce. At the same time extremely elegant and strong.
February 28, 2008

Len
Love the pinot-noir episode… and the head to head format.QOTD There were two wines that were just killers for me 1995 Dal Forno Amarone and 1994 Shafer Hillside Select….couldn’t put the glass down.
February 28, 2008

Obama_Man
QOTD: ‘89 Margaux over XMas
February 28, 2008

Sayle
QOTD: Hands down…Santa Barbara Winery- 2005 Santa Rita Hills La Fond GRENACHE.
A close second? Laetitia Pinot Noir (California).
February 28, 2008

Dr T from N. Carolina
QOTD — it’s been so long, I can’t remember!
February 28, 2008

Stacy B.
Sweet to see smaller case producing wineries get a nod and good job in their direction!

I just saw more info about this wine here:

http://www.americanwinery.com/wine/3249/2005-Phillips_Hill_Estates-Pinot_Noir_Toulouse_Vineyard
February 28, 2008

BobbyTiger
Have had some very good wines, but nothing to completely knock my socks off, (yet).
February 28, 2008

Sev
Awesome show as usual. New Zealand Pinot is definitely on my list. I have not had Anderson Valley Pinot, but Handley from the Anderson Valley makes some great Chard, Pinot Gris, and Gewurz! I will have to see if they make Pinot.

QOTD: That last wine that knocked my socks off was the Quinta do Vale Meandro. The only table wine from Portugal I have ever had, but it was awesome. Had muscle, but amazing complexity, and very fine tannins on the finish.
February 28, 2008

DerekH
You’ve got to do something about that German pronunciation. It’s not eeesch, it’s icesssh (ice with a shussshy sshh at the end).
February 28, 2008

JC
QOTD: Domaine de la Charriere Selection de Raisins Nobles Jasnieres J. Gigou
February 28, 2008

John Farrin
QOTD:
Red-2003 St. Jean du Barroux L’Oligocene-your recommendation, thank you.

White-2005 Nugan ‘Frasca’s Lane’ Chardonnay King Valley, Victoria, Austrailia

Phillips Hill doesn’t have anything about a mailing or waiting list on their site but they do have some 2006 Toulouse for sale.
February 28, 2008

Bruce Hill
Arnaldo Capria Sangrantino di Montefalco 25 Ainee 1999

It changed and evolved dramatically over two hours. A religious OMG experience.
February 28, 2008

Nick Lewis
Avelar Pedro Ximenez Solera 1927. This was a complete surprise to me. I was expecting something sweet and got something fabulously layered. I think the key to me was the fact that it was not expensive. When you get to taste a pricey burgundy or cabernet or something, your expectations are already high, so it is harder to be blown away.

My first experience like that was in 1974 when I had a Mondavi Chardonnay and suddenly realized that there was more to this wine thing than I thought.
February 28, 2008

cameron w
QOTD – Probably either Four Vines Anarchy or Eos Reserve Petit Sirah. Bruisers both, but lately I’ve been in the mood for bruisers. Good show, I actually like the fact that it wasn’t OR vs Burgundy which is what I tend to think of for PN head to head. NZ PN is fantastic, I’ve stayed away from CA, as most CA producers wouldn’t know what to do with a PN grape if their life depended on it. But, perhaps I’ll check out today’s offering.
February 28, 2008

Sassodoro
QOTD. I’m not sure that I ever have reacted quite like that. Close maybe.
February 28, 2008

Kev and Ams
QOTD: One of the Pinots in your secret pack. T-Day I think.
February 28, 2008

Phil G
QOTD – the last time I remember feeling like that was for a Kaesler Stonehorse 2005 Barossa GSM…
February 28, 2008

Mark
2004 Whitehall Lane Cabernet Sauvignon Silver Anniversary Reserve
February 28, 2008

Johan
Thank’s for a great episode, I’ve got to find that one.
QOD, either 2002 Richebourg Dom. A_F Gros or, 2004 Donnafugata Ben RyÃ© Passito de Pantelleria.
The last one actually made me cry.
Nice to see you again Gary.
February 28, 2008

DannInNH
Oh oh…
I watched today’s episode and thought “Oh Boy, I have to buy the Pinot from CA”. I jumped on their site, placed the order and then found out it was the ‘06 vintage, not the ‘05 reviewed today. Oh well, maybe it will be just as good.
QOTD: A Medusa Old Vin Zin that was just super after dinner.
February 28, 2008

Erica37
Those of you who are going nuts for this Pinot Noir – check it out! Phillips Hill Estates has a profile at AmericanWinery.com, where you can rate and review wines you try! I’m sure the vintner Toby Hill will be thrilled to see your ratings! Here’s the link so you can go straight to the wine -

http://www.americanwinery.com/wine/3249/2005-Phillips_Hill_Estates-Pinot_Noir_Toulouse_Vineyard

QOTD: I’m in love with Farella-Park Vineyards 2004 Road Block Syrah!
February 28, 2008

Jaybird
Love the head to heads! I think you just flooded the winery e-mail, I picked a bottle of each…they had another available from mendocino also. Anyway chalk one up for USA, battle royal wine olympics.

QOTD: The last wine that made me act that way was a 2006 De Lisio Australian Grenache also a $40…square that off with a spanish or a Rhone.