Minneapolis Wine Club
Pinot Tasting
Sunday, February 17
Starter Wine:
2005 Chateau Ste. Michelle Canoe Ridge Horse Heaven Hills Chardonnay
Color: Medium yellow
Nose: Pear, apple, mineral
Taste: Crisp acidity with pear, apple, mineral, light oak
Finish: Medium and really balanced.
Evaluation: The best Chardonnay in America for under $20. 91 points
2003 St. Innocent Seven Springs Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Floral, cherry, plum
Taste: Spice, cherry, floral, cinnamon
Finish: Medium with spice, cinnamon, cherry, vanilla, and oak
Evaluation: A nice solid wine for the money. This wine was decanted six hours. 90 points
2005 Sea Smoke Southing Central Coast Pinot Noir
Color: Light purple
Nose: Floral, cedar, spice
Taste: Cinnamon, floral, spice, cedar
Finish: Medium and balanced. A earth forward wine.
Evaluation: Really nice and went well with the crab cakes. 91 points
2005 Roar Santa Lucia Highlands Central Coast Pinot Noir
Color: Light purple
Nose: Cedar, spice, cinnamon
Taste: Spice, oak, cinnamon
Finish: Medium with spice, oak, and cranberry. Nice acidity on this one.
Evaluation: Very similar in style to the Sea Smoke 92 points
2002 Le Cadeau Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Mild spice, floral, raspberry
Taste: Floral, spice, raspberry, very little oak
Finish: Medium with floral and spice dominating
Evaluation: Drinking really well right now. Home run for a first vintage. 92 points
1998 Beaux Freres Freres Ribbon Ridge Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
Color: Medium purple
Nose: Earth wine with hints of floral and spice
Taste: Cinnamon, floral, earth tones
Finish: Medium with mineral, floral, cinnamon, earthy
Evaluation: Wow what a great wine with some age. 93 points
What a great event and I enjoyed the smaller group. I recommend that we keep it to seven or less for future events. All the wines showed well and we had great conversation to boot!