Made famous by the movie Sideways, pinot noir typicallys has layers of pure strawberry, raspberry and other red and black fruit that expand across the palate in a way that no other grape variety quite matches. This is what many wine drinkers are really looking for when they order a cabernet. Despite its reputation for making rich, hulking reds, good pinot noir is silky, even gossamer, with deep flavors; young pinot noir is tightly wound, like a rose bud, ready to blossom with time. Found in French red Burgundy, e.g., Chambertin, Pommard, Bourgogne, etc.; Sancerre rouge; German Spatburgunder; Swiss Dole; labeled pinot noir in California, Australia, South America, South Africa.
Varietal: Pinot Noir | Location: United States - California - Mount Harlan
WE 90
This vineyard bottling is very vintage driven. The cool 2009 harvest has made it ripe and tart in cherry pie flavors, but also rather tannic. It's aloof, revealing little of its soul, beyond the primary fruit and oak. Needs time in the cellar. Could really be interesting over the next decade.
Varietal: Pinot Noir | Location: France - Burgundy - Volnay
WA 93
The 2009 Volnay Clos de la Barre reveals dazzling perfume and generous dark fruit, with hints of mentholated, balsamic notes that add complexity. This is a decidedly virile, powerful Volnay endowed with tons of depth. It will be a fascinating wine to follow over the coming years. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029.
I tasted an impressive range of wines with Jacques Lardiere and his successor Frederic Barnier, who is slated to take over when Lardiere retires at the end of 2012. Jadot makes a mind-bending number of wines, but I limited myself to the best 35 or so examples. In 2009 Jadot began harvesting on September 6. All of the reds were made from 100% destemmed fruit. Maceration times varied from wine to wine, but according to Lardiere all of the wines were made with essentially the same approach. Lardiere is another of the producers who compares 2009 to 1959, and believes the wines will age well because of their density of fruit and minerality. Many of the estate's own vineyards are farmed biodynamically, but of course Jadot also sources a significant amount of wine from other growers that is not necessarily from biodynamically farmed vineyards.
Importer: Kobrand Corp., Purchase, NY; tel. (914) 253-7756The 2009 Volnay Clos de la Barre reveals dazzling perfume and generous dark fruit, with hints of mentholated, balsamic notes that add complexity. This is a decidedly virile, powerful Volnay endowed with tons of depth. It will be a fascinating wine to follow over the coming years. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2029.
I tasted an impressive range of wines with Jacques Lardiere and his successor Frederic Barnier, who is slated to take over when Lardiere retires at the end of 2012. Jadot makes a mind-bending number of wines, but I limited myself to the best 35 or so examples. In 2009 Jadot began harvesting on September 6. All of the reds were made from 100% destemmed fruit. Maceration times varied from wine to wine, but according to Lardiere all of the wines were made with essentially the same approach. Lardiere is another of the producers who compares 2009 to 1959, and believes the wines will age well because of their density of fruit and minerality. Many of the estate's own vineyards are farmed biodynamically, but of course Jadot also sources a significant amount of wine from other growers that is not necessarily from biodynamically farmed vineyards. -- Antonio Galloni
Varietal: Pinot Noir | Location: France - Burgundy - Volnay
WA 90
The 2010 Volnay Clos de la Barre is a huge, implosive wine loaded with fruit. This explosive Volnay bursts onto the palate with black cherries, tar, licorice, smoke and incense. The aromas and flavors take on a decidedly exotic quality as the wine sits in the glass. This is another wine with a bright future. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2028.
Varietal: Pinot Noir | Location: France - Burgundy - Vosne-Romanée
WA 88
The 2009 Vosne-Romanee is a simple, juicy wine with good village character best suited to near-term drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.
I tasted an impressive range of wines with Jacques Lardiere and his successor Frederic Barnier, who is slated to take over when Lardiere retires at the end of 2012. Jadot makes a mind-bending number of wines, but I limited myself to the best 35 or so examples. In 2009 Jadot began harvesting on September 6. All of the reds were made from 100% destemmed fruit. Maceration times varied from wine to wine, but according to Lardiere all of the wines were made with essentially the same approach. Lardiere is another of the producers who compares 2009 to 1959, and believes the wines will age well because of their density of fruit and minerality. Many of the estate's own vineyards are farmed biodynamically, but of course Jadot also sources a significant amount of wine from other growers that is not necessarily from biodynamically farmed vineyards.
Importer: Kobrand Corp., Purchase, NY; tel. (914) 253-7756The 2009 Vosne-Romanee is a simple, juicy wine with good village character best suited to near-term drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016.
I tasted an impressive range of wines with Jacques Lardiere and his successor Frederic Barnier, who is slated to take over when Lardiere retires at the end of 2012. Jadot makes a mind-bending number of wines, but I limited myself to the best 35 or so examples. In 2009 Jadot began harvesting on September 6. All of the reds were made from 100% destemmed fruit. Maceration times varied from wine to wine, but according to Lardiere all of the wines were made with essentially the same approach. Lardiere is another of the producers who compares 2009 to 1959, and believes the wines will age well because of their density of fruit and minerality. Many of the estate's own vineyards are farmed biodynamically, but of course Jadot also sources a significant amount of wine from other growers that is not necessarily from biodynamically farmed vineyards. -- Antonio Galloni
Varietal: Pinot Noir | Location: France - Burgundy - Nuits-St.-Georges
An unusually pretty nose for a Nuits-Saint-Georges Drink-now delicious, with gorgeous framboise and cherry notes. I found it irresistible. –- Ben Giliberti