Agreeable Pinot

"Greg Sumner" wrote in news:UrSdnb2C2J snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:

I like Toads Hollow alot. I think Robin Williams brother owns the vineyard.

Funny you should ask. I just picked up a couple of cases through Avalon, a Web site distributor that specializes in Oregon and Washington state wines. They've been pretty reliable for recommendations in their newsletter, so I looked for some under $20 PNs that they recommended.

I came away with two:

O'Reilly Pinot Noir 2002 at $13.99. It's a second label for Owen Roe, which makes me eager to return and try some of the top level offerings. It sounds like the sort of wine you're seeking. It's dark black cherry colored in the glass with a nose of Bing Cherries and smoke. Warm and full in the mouth with plenty of dark cherry flavors, a bit of leather and smoke. There's a warm vanilla finish. Long, smooth and quite well balanced. It compares in my estimation to wines like Archery Summitt, Siduri, or Gary Farrell at three to four times the price.

The other was McKinley Vineyard Williamette Valley 2001 at $11.00. This one had the light-pink (I call it cherry Kool-Aid) color, but good flavors. It showed a bit of frizzante on pouring creating just a bit of murk on the surface. The nose was very noticeably red cherry and the taste was a much lighter style than the O'Reilly. Certainly not the slightest bit Burgundian, but still a very good GPR.

I'm not a shill for the company, but they've been a good source for NW wines. Take a look at

Rex Hill Willamette is around $19. Rex Hill also has a second line (I forget the name) that's good for the price.

I (as well as Kirk) have had success with Anawapu (may be spelled incorrectly) as a good value pinot noir. Red Bottle. About 12-15$ here in michigan. All the characteristics of a good pinot without the price. Having never had "1st class" pinot noir, I have been told that this lacks the depth and strength of some pinots/burgundys, but for what you are speaking of, it will do just fine.

Jeff

Without getting into vintages, I've liked:

Oregon: St Innocent Temperance Hill Foris (Rogue Valley)

California: Saintsbury Garnet (their Carneros is a big step up, but usually more like $22) Wild Horse (a little less dependable)

France: Denis Clair Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Beaune Michel Gros Bourgogne-Hautes Côtes de Nuits Lafarge Bourgogne Marechal Bourgogne "Cuvée Gravel"

Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

Also Firesteed and Adelsheim. Now, my list is not for folks looking for big blockbuster PNs such as sometimes the Russian River Valley produces. You might find them thin, though I do not.

Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

"Greg Sumner" wrote in news:UrSdnb2C2J snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:

There are quire a few Oregon pinots that are well made and fall under $20. The Bergstrom Willamette Valley cuvee runs about $18 and is consistently very good. A to Z is a negotiant wine put together by folks with good credentials that is also pretty decent for the money. There are many others.

By the way, most of what I have tasted from 2002, both from barrel and bottle, has been much better than other recent vintages in Oregon.

John

King's Ridge is the second label IIRC.

Mark Lipton

I had my first bottle of Anapamu PN the other week and went out and got 3 more the next day. Excellent everyday PN.

"Greg Sumner" wrote in news:UrSdnb2C2J snipped-for-privacy@comcast.com:

We had a Givry in our local supermarket for 11.99 very nice good body and very pleasant nose.

In addition to the suggestions already made, some other good quality "bargain" Pinots are: David Bruce Sonoma Beaulieu Vineyards "Coastal" Navarro (must buy direct from winery)

and, at a lower price point, Echelon

HTH Mark Lipton

I have not found any real decent Pinots at low pricing from the USA. Have not tried Bergstom yet but this is supposed to be good.

Chateau Rully Rouge of Burgundy is pretty good for about $15.00 bottle.

I can drink inexpensive cabs, but Pinot is not quite the same domestically-usa.

My opinion only.

Tonight I had some 1997 Justin Iscoeles.(Bordeaux Blend from San Obisbo Cal. It was way to powerful. I think I am getting wimpy in my older age.

That's it. Name escaped me.

Larry Coon University of California

The NBA Salary Cap FAQ:

Justin is in Paso Robles, which is near SLO but not SLO. I like the Isoceles.

Dimitri

"John Gunn" schrieb im Newsbeitrag news:Xns941E7A089B993johnlgunnqwestnetnos@207.225.159.8...

I second the A to Z and would add Cooper Mountain.

Reka

King's Ridge is my favorite under $15, and Castle Rock (2001 and 2002) is a very good wine for under $10. Both are a little hard to find though.

JK

Hi Geg, I am sorry but when you are talking about pinot, which pinot do you mean?

Pinot Blanc, Pinot noir or Pinot gris?

If you mean pinot noir I suggest you to try from the German Number one manufacturer from the Area of Ahr (Meyer Naekel) one of the following: (Germany) Please Don't laugh and don't believe Parker that German Pinot noirs are principially "bullshit". (Ok the mainistream are perharps....)

2000 Spätburgunder trocken »G«

2000 Spätburgunder trocken »Blauschiefer«

This is only an Example but please beware stat Gault Milleau points are usually much more "rigorous" than e.g. Parker points.

Best regards

When Americans talk about pinot, they usually mean pinot noir.

gives two US sources - at USD 21.05 and 24.99 (plus sales tax, of course) respectively.

M.