Pinot Noir at Gary’s

Well there was a variety of styles of California Pinot Noir’s last night. The mega purple one’s known as Belle Glos to elegance and style of the Hirsch. Here are my notes:

CellarTracker! Pinot’s at Gary’s

• 2021 Martin Woods Chardonnay Koosah Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola – Amity Hills
  Felt like this was not showing its best but no chance for a 3 day wine review so will buy another bottle and try over 3. Flint, wood, spice, minerals, lime and matchstick. The 2nd glass at room temperature was better for sure. 92+ (92 pts.)

• 2018 Hirsch Vineyards Pinot Noir Raschen Ridge – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  When you know this will be top two into the tasting and was right for sure. Cranberry, floral, mushrooms, minerals, soy and very savory wine. Nice acidity and not your typical jammy offering. Very elegant and would buy again. My wine of the night and groups second favorite. (94 pts.)

• 2019 Drew Family Cellars Pinot Noir Fog Eater – USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
  Wine of the night for the group and my second favorite. This wine has won wine of the night 3 different times at Pinot events. Cranberry, cherry, floral, strawberries, rose petals and minerals. Very balanced wine and nice acidity. (93 pts.)
• 2019 Zo Wines Pinot Noir Wentzel Vineyard – USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
  Some liked it more than others and I did not. Found this wine to be very disjointed. Burnt toast, spice, black licorice and dirt. Fruit is lacking and there is a reason it was dumped on Last Bottle which is the last place I am buying wine. (78 pts.)

• 2020 Eden Rift Pinot Noir Terraces – USA, California, Central Coast, Cienega Valley
  Two in a row last bottle garbage. You will never find great Pinot being dumped on this site. This was better than the Zo however. Light wine with raspberries, earth, floral and a touch of mint on the short to medium finish. (85 pts.)
• 2021 Twomey Pinot Noir Anderson Valley – USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
  Ok not a fan of this style at all. Others liked it more than me. Burnt toast, riper fruit, floral, spice and coffee beans. Just could not find the enjoyment here. So many better for less. (80 pts.)

• 2021 Belle Glos Pinot Noir Las Alturas Vineyard – USA, California, Central Coast, Santa Lucia Highlands
  In honor of spinal tap 2 this is sh.. sandwich. What is this? This is not Pinot Noir. Mega Purple in the house. Hardly any acidity on this one with overripe strawberries, soy and cotton candy. Short and very unpleasant finish. How any wine critic can give this above an 80 makes me think some money is exchanging hands. Terrible and almost a slam dunk for my top 10 worst of the year. (70 pts.)
• 2022 Sojourn Pinot Noir Nightwing Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  Another solid showing of this and a proper California Pinot. Nice acidity and features cranberry, forest floor, earth, minerals, cherry and rose petals. Medium plus finish. (93 pts.)
• 2022 Sojourn Pinot Noir Petaluma Gap – USA, California, Sonoma County, Petaluma Gap
  Needs more time which was not an option at this event. Raspberries, cranberries, earth, spice, dust and floral notes. Medium finish. (91 pts.)
• 2022 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Nûnes Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
  Earth, smoke, strawberries, dust and cherry. A bigger more fruit forward style than the Campbell. Fine but a little steep on price for the quality return. (86 pts.)
• 2022 Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Campbell Ranch Vineyard – USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
  I liked this better than the Nunes but both are overpriced. The Drew earlier in the evening is less and far better. Nice acidity with mild wood, floral, earth, minerals, spice and red currants. More rustic and medium finish. (89 pts.)
• 2022 Flowers Pinot Noir Russian River Valley – USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
  What you would expect from Flowers. A crowd pleaser wine but for wine geeks not disliking it but expensive. Riper wine with floral, strawberries, rose petals, chalk, spices and dark currants. Acidity is somewhat lacking here otherwise a few more points and did pick up some heat which blew off. Always love to see the outlier on wines as someone gave this 100. Maybe a great DRC would get that from me. (88 pts.)
• 2023 Donnachadh Vineyard Pinot Noir – USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills
  Bottle was really boring and not well liked. Price point was $50 however knowing the shop this was purchased in St. Paul (highest prices around) it probably was $50. Floral, spice, earth, minerals and light fruit. Not much going on and not flawed in any way. Group did not like it and there was some left at the end. (84 pts.)

• 2024 Weingut Thörle Hölle Spätburgunder – Germany, Rheinhessen
  Was given to the guest who brought the Donnachadh which was also not good. Why you never shop last minute for a wine event. This was horrible and a top 20 worst wine of the year candidate. No one like it. Light with cherry bubble gum, crushed flowers and a really short, uninspiring finish. (65 pts.)