Siduri Pinot Noir - it's a theme!

Whether Dan is making me do "penance" for being out sitting on a hard, wood jury bench rather than tasting, arguably, the world's greatest wines or not, I'm not sure. But here I am, for the first time on the Vinous Views blog, sharing my impressions of a more or less "normal" Tuesday behind the Tasting Station at BSFW. WhadduIgot? How about another version of the Pinot truth?

Exactly to Dan's point last week, evaluating exceptional Pinot Noir in a domestic market - when we know, in theory, that the truly great Pinot of the world thrives in Burgundy - is pretty dang challenging. Especially since these wines are ready to drink now and a helluvalot more affordable. Enter Siduri Pinot Noir.

These guys (aka Adam and Dianna Lee) make several - aka SEV-ER-AL - great Pinots from different properties in both California and Oregon. They choose to be a vineyard-free operation, in that they enjoy the relative luxury of selecting and buying fruit from about 25 different vineyard sites throughout California and Oregon to make their delicious line up of offerings. It is SICK the wines they make. 'Aint a bad one in the bunch! And they are all worth the slightly heafitier price tags they command. Of course, this is all relative. Because the one we chose for you, our eager customer, is a mere $31.99 on the shelf - an absoulte STEAL for the price. Burgundy (sadly) can't shake a stick at this number, in terms of drinkability and deliciousness, guaranteed, n-o-w.

What is this fine juice I speak of? The 2007 Siduri Sontera Pinot Noir offers an exceptionally delicious example of Pinot from the coastal California vineyards of Sonoma Coast. I asked Dianna what made the wine so distinct from it's counterparts in the Siduri lineup. Was it the terroir? Or was it the place? She believes it's the place, the coastal nuance, the influence of sun and fog (...and fog) that makes this particular wine expressive in its own particular way.

Here are my short notes: "Very coastal. Can taste fog influence and nearby ocean. Poo-ey delicicous nose. Flavor is vibrant and lifiting. Juxtaposed with happy earth tones and fruit."

Here are Dan's: "Sontera-Dark fruit with herbs and earth. Quite juicy and complex-ish."

Here are these notes translated: "This particular Siduri Pinot won the BSFW tasting "fav" designation for it's authenticity of place. This is a wine that displays well-integrated red and black fruits, but goes above and beyond a 'simple' Sonoma Coast Pinot offering. Herbs and earth tones are delivered in a surprisingly bright, juicy package that will leave sippers scratching their nogg'ns for the word that describes something familiar and delicious, yet that's somehow even more intriguing for it's beguiling elusivity."

What can we say? This wine is the offspring of a couple who really gets how important place is. How important it is to let growers do their 'thang in the vineyard (under their careful watch). How important delivering the art of fine wine is to consumers. At the right price.

In the words of Nike... Just Do It. It's worth skipping two bottles at $15 during the week in lieu of a great Saturday night.  And besides, we just brought in a whole slew of wines under $10 that will help you take the edge off on Wednesday night while you wait 'til Saturday.

Total wines tasted: 49
Wines that made “the short list”: 4
One new addition you can look for: 08 Domaine Monte de Luz Tannat