I've been remiss in posting notes from tastings. This is from a March 27 dinner with baked salmon, potaotes, fresh asparagus (nothing fancy). It's been a while, but I believe the salmon prepared by the host, was with a cream sauce, avoiding acidity for this meal, per my request. I selected the wines, all of which except the Marlborough I had tasted before.
Chateau de Venerian Muscadet Sevre et Maine 2001I made no notes, but I love this wine with its bracing acidity, and fresh fruit. No residual sugar, as expected. Served as an aperitif.
The rest are Pinot Noir
Rully-Rosey Dureil-Janthial 2000 (Burgundy) Sweet, spicy fruit, with light oak in background. Almost rose, with bright cherry and spice flavors.
Elk Cove Vineyards PN 2000 (Oregon) Ripe olive nose. Bright red color. Mustiness detected. A little hot, with fresh hay, and lots of fruit.
Isabel Vineyards Marlborough PN 2001 (New Zealand) Very sweet, spicy fruit with good oak in background. A little dirty finish. Deep purple color. Later, nose of tar and caramel. Pasty, port like flavors, paint-like aromas. Very young.
Saginaw Vineyards PN 1998 (Oregon) Very sweet fruit with butter and oak. Lighter than Isabel. Fresh hay and a little cream on nose. Good balance. I got this on the Oregon Pinot Noir Club sell off (one of the lucky ones who bought within the first hour).
Beaune Montemenots Mussy 1993 (Burgundy) Light, brick color, musty flavors, with fairly heavy wood treatment. Needs a meal. Lovely with salmon and smoked gouda. This is one of the few 93s I have really been excited about.
As for grades, I would probably give them all a B+, maybe a little lower for the Elk Cove (a little simple). As I had tasted most of these, I knew they would be in the relatively light style. These are definitely more subtle than many of the in your face berry and spice Pinot Noirs I have tasted from Oregon. This selection, with the exception perhaps, of the Isabel, would be suitable for lighter meats such as ham, roast chicken etc.
Tom Schellberg