this is part three of three of three parts. part one covered my experience as a novice taster, part two some producers that i found interesting, and part three a few wines i found that are affordable and killer, even still.
part un - part deux – part trois
part trois: the wino’s lochness
it’s an intimidating, maybe even frightening, challenge to find pinot noir under $20 that you won’t be cleaning your drains with. (editor’s note: drano is cheaper, and in independent laboratory tests it consistently proved much more effective)
however, it does exist,believe it or not. you’ll probably have to creep a little closer toward 20 than maybe you’d like, but i promise you, it pays dividends. at chicago pinot days most producers were pouring their more serious efforts, but a few gave a peek at a more affordable wine that will restore your faith in humanity. (the last statement is non-verifiable)
carmel road
their 2007 monterrey pinot noir was a tasty fruit forward wine, with a little nutty quality on the finish that gave it a little twist. at under $20 this wine certainly will make you trade in your frei brothers and acacia.
fess parker winery
to me, this was the most impressive of the group. they poured a 2007 santa barbara county that was every inch a pinot noir. i got a little spice and muchroom on the nose, great light fruits on the palate. at the mid-twenty price point this definitely beat out a lot of it’s peers.
girasole
candid wines was pouring a whole array of wines, mostly german, but they brought this organically produced pinot from mendocino that really, really impressed me. it’s light, juicy, with a great mouthfeel. retailing around $15 bones, you simply cannot lose. i wasn’t aware at the time, but this wine was deemed one of the years best pinot noirs by wine and spirits magazine.
pali wine co.
unfortunately you can’t find this wine in the chicago area, that i know of. however, if you’re lucky enough to have access (meaning you probably live in california) look out for their 2008 sonoma coast “riviera” pinot noir. unfortunately my notes at this point were thumbs up and thumbs down (at least i wasn’t using smiley faces!) so i can tell you i enjoyed this wine, and at around $20 check it, boi.
so there you are, it took me long enough, but i did it: chicago pinot days 2009 in three parts. hope you enjoyed it, and here’s to next year!
