Category Archives: Pinot Noir

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Buena Vista Ramal Vineyard 2008 Pinot Noir

One of our absolute favorites, from our trip out to the Carneros region of Sonoma Valley several years ago, is the Buena Vista pinot noir–this one from their Ramal Vineyard.  It’s so smooth, so polished.  While lacking the wine taster’s vocabulary or lexicon to adequately describe this pinot noir, I can say that I’ve never tasted its equal in all the pinot noir’s I’ve had.

This time enjoyed in the Catskills at the “Sky & Water House”, Becca and I had this Buena Vista while readying for the New Year’s holiday. A tray of italian peppers, onions, and sausage accompanied this particular bottle–which we started with hors d’oeuvres and finished after dinner in the great outdoors.

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Estancia Pinot Noir 2010

Estancia Pinot Noir

This enjoyable Central Coast pinot noir we enjoyed (okay, several of them) with Christmas dinner with the Heuseveldts and both Ma and Steve.  My brother had picked this out previously and knew it would definitely be a hit while we celebrated the holiday.  I think the delicious spread included the pinot, a perfectly cooked prime rib, smashed potatoes, a cheesy-cauliflower vegetable medley that Ma prepared, some scrumptious breads, and a light but tasty green salad (with dried cranberries!) that Laura had whipped up.

I didn’t actually remember to shoot the bottle until after we left our hosts’ house so I’m guessing on the year based on what I presume Steve paid, and this label is from an online source rather than showing our actual spread.  It was a fun and delicious wine to accompany our fun and festive dinner–the only shame being that we didn’t have more than the three (3) bottles to enjoy!  I don’t see this offered downstate here in NJ as much as I do up in Rochester but I’d gladly buy and drink it again!

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Henry of Pelham 2009 Pinot Noir

Forgot to take a photo of this pinot noir (I think it is the 2009) that we enjoyed on Christmas Eve in Rochester, NY, with family.  The experts say it has “medium, ruby red color, with aromas of raspberry, cherry, and spice with light, tobacco notes; dry, medium-bodied, quite fruity with oak notes on the finish.”

Now, I don’t know all that, but I do know it was delicious and I’d gladly enjoy another bottle.  Dad poured, Pat cheffed it all up, and the whole family traded stories and smiles while noshing down on seafood newburg, asparagus, delicious bread, olives, and some of the most perfectly cooked prime rib I’ve ever eaten.  Perhaps the end of a tradition, the above, but hoping the Pelham makes it on to whatever the future holds for us all!

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Mark West 2009 Pinot Noir

This one is usually a favorite but tonight something is off. The wine smells funky, to the point where I switched glasses initially–thinking my glass smelled like an old sponge. It’s actually the wine.
It’s a shame too, because we were having this bottle as we embraced the holiday spirit by sorting through gifts, watching Christmas Vacation, and sampling some delicious shrimp cocktail and little neck clams. Throw in a crusty, warm, buttery hunk of wheat bread (yes I said wheat bread) and we were all set for good wine. Not in the cards for tonight, though.