2006 Aresti Pinot Noir Curicó Valley Estate Selection Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 88 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium deep dark cherry color. Aromas of dark and red berries, with flavors that blend berry flavors with vanilla and gentle spice, specifically hints of anise and cinnamon. Complex and delicious, with soft tannins and a long finish. Delivers a lot of flavor for the money. Terrific value selection. Suggested Food Pairings: Truffled liver mousse, pork loin stuffed with stage dressing; roast veal, grilled mild Italian sausage, not bad with roast turkey; crumbed chicken breast with wild rice bacon stuffing, chicken breast with sun-dried tomatoes and capers. Idea: Make boeuf bourgignon or cog au vin rouge with this one and enjoy the dish with any of the following. Also good for making oeufs en Meurette, eggs poached in Pinot Noir. Georgia Distributor: Quality Wine & Spirits $13.00 2006 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Whole Cluster Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 88 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium dark cherry red. Aromatic cherry aromas, definite whole cluster character in the nose; flavors hit on red cherry with spice and bit of red raspberry in the finish. About a decade ago, it tasted rather like raspberry bubble gum, but now it’s quite grown up, yet still a good choice for the beginning Pinot Noir fan. Tannins are easy, and the finish is long and rewarding. As one taster said: “Boy, wouldn’t that be great chilled at a picnic.” You bet. Suggested Food Pairings: Rather surprising with mushroom and red onion salad; truffled liver mousse; mushroom-stuffed pastas with butter, minced fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese; grilled salmon; grilled pancetta-wrapped scallops with rémoulade sauce; grilled veal chop; fried chicken; wraps and other sandwiches with cured meats; creamy blue cheeses, such as Cambozola or Fourme d’Ambert, triple cream cheeses (Délice de Bourgogne). Georgia Distributor: General Wholesale $18.00 2005 Morgan Pinot Noir Santa Lucia Highlands Garys' Vineyard Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 90 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; medium dark cherry red. Aromatic mushroom-accented dark fruits; sweet dark cherry fruit on the palate, with a tobacco note in the finish. Very easy tannins. Long finish is a bit hot solo, as alcohol is 14.2%, but rich foods ameliorate the heat. Seems to be evolving nicely, and has a good road trip ahead of it. Suggested Food Pairings: Truffled liver mouse, mushroom ravioli with butter and grated Reggiano, crumbed chicken breast stuffed with wild rice and bacon; sage-dressing-stuffed pork loin; creamy mild cheeses, such as Delice de Bourgogne or creamy blues such as Fourme d’Ambert, mushroom brie. Georgia Distributor: Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC $55.00 2006 Green Point Pinot Noir Rose Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 92 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry rosé wine, bright reddish pink color. Lively fresh red fruit aromas—strawberry and red raspberry, with red fruit flavors developing nicely on the palate and adding a brown aromatic spice note for complexity. Very long finish, with a lovely, crisp close. This is the sort of rosé that would make any rosé-phobe come to his/her palate senses, absent of course a totally closed mind on the subject. Just delicious. Serve moderately chilled, about 55 degrees or so. Established by Moët et Chandon in 1986 in Australia's Yarra Valley, just north of Melbourne. Suggested Food Pairings: Pancetta-wrapped grilled scallops or chicken tenders with mustard mayonnaise or rémoulade sauce; wild smoked salmon spread on crackers; simple grilled salmon, roast turkey, grilled or roast ham; roast chicken or quail, roast pork loin; grilled chicken breast with sun-dried tomatoes and capers. Georgia Distributor: National Distributing Co. $15.99 2004 Haderburg Hausmannhof Blauburgunder D.O.C. Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 90 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium dark-cherry red. Spice and dark fruit aromas, including some dried fruit characters; suggestion of clove and allspice; flavors knit brown spices and dark fruits (blackberries and dark cherries). Suggestion of fruit cake and steamed plum pudding. Moderate alcohol, 13.5%, so finish is smooth, silky. Balanced. Easy tannin. Tasted open, so might be good idea to decant for a little while before serving. In a Bordeaux-style bottle. Does all that German from an Italian wine confuse you? Until WWI, this turf was part of Austria. Suggested Food Pairings: Amazing with grilled pancetta-wrapped shrimp and scallops with mustard mayonnaise; roast chicken or turkey (especially dark meat); grilled tuna or salmon with ponzu, teriyaki or soy dipping sauces; crumbed chicken breast with wild rice-bacon stuffing (Whole Foods); grilled or roasted Cornish game hen, veal roast, grilled veal chop; creamy bleu cheese (Fourme d’Ambert); mushroom brie). Georgia Distributor: Vinifera $28.00 2002 Hopler Pinot Noir Qualitatswein Trocken Burgenland Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 90 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; dusty garnet red. Delicate fragrance of dark berries with dark berry flavors. Moderate alcohol (13%) and silky tannins create a fine frame for these flavors. Moderate acidity. Clean, sweet fruit finish. Grapes are grown on the eastern slopes of the Leitha mountain range. Long famous for its wine, Burgenland, the seventh largest of Austria's nine Bundesländer (states or provinces), lies in the east and borders on Hungary, Slovenia and Slovakia. Originally Hungarian, it became part of Austria in 1921. Suggested Food Pairings: Grilled bacon-wrapped scallops with Rémoulade; grilled chicken, shrimp, salmon or tuna; teriyaki; roast duck, chicken or turkey; grilled or roast pork; braised veal breast or shank; hanger steak with mac ‘n’ cheese (from Relish); roast rack of lamb; creamy bleu cheeses, such as Cambozola (Germany). Georgia Distributor: Grapefields $22.00 2006 Craggy Range Pinot Noir Martinborough Te Muna Road Vineyard Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 94 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; bright garnet red. Aromas balance dark and red fruits with that characteristic scent of dried herb; flavors supply balanced fruit/herb characters. Finish is long; tannins elegant; the whole package splendid. Alcohol is 14%, but balance is excellent. Martinborough Pinots are scarce here, but very worth searching out. They tend to be more savory rather than over-the-top fruit. Not at all Burgundian; definitely Kiwi. And that's just fine. Suggested Food Pairings: All pâtés and terrines; smoked meats, grilled quail, roast chicken, turkey, duck or pheasant; game birds, braised meats with caramelized onions; pork loin with sage dressing; chicken, pork or veal saltimbocca; grilled veal chop stuffed with Fontina cheese and prosciutto; rack of lamb; ham steak, soft, mild cheeses (Délice de Bourgogne). Georgia Distributor: National Distributing Co. $54.00 2005 Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 91 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium dark cherry red color. Aromas start with a warm earthiness backed up by fresh dark cherry fruit; but more savory than sweet. Elegant, silky tannins wrap the whole package. Hint of crushed wild herb in the finish. Grapes (Pommard and Dijon clones for 2/3 of the blend) are from southern Wairau Valley. Cloudy Bay made its reputation on Sauvignon Blanc, but the Pinot Noir is excellent. Quite good value. Suggested Food Pairings: Truffled liver pâté, roast chicken breast with wild rice stuffing, roast quail, grilled tuna or salmon with soy-based dipping sauce (teriyaki; ponzu; etc.), pork loin with sage-caressed bread stuffing; grilled chicken breast with sun-dried tomatoes and capers; grilled veal chop; creamy mild cheeses: mushroom brie; creamy bleu; brie de Meaux. Georgia Distributor: Empire Distributors $30.00 2005 Lynmar Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 90 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; medium dark cherry red color. Sweet dark fruit aromas, focused on dark cherry, leading into dark cherry flavors—typical of Russian River—with a slight caramel note in the finish. Soft tannins. Nice length with plenty of sweet fruit all the way to the finish and good acid balance. Elegant. Russian River Valley Pinot Noir is all about fruit, and this one is no exception. 2005 was a very cool vintage, a condition Pinot Noir likes. Can enjoy over a few years with proper cellaring. Suggested Food Pairings: Roast duck, grilled mild Italian sausage; roast turkey (especially the dark meat) with sausage dressing; grilled lamb steaks or chops, roast lamb, grilled chicken with sun-dried tomatoes and capers; sage-dressing-stuffed pork loin; creamy blues (Fourme d’Ambert, Cambazola) and other creamy mild cheeses, such as mushroom brie. Georgia Distributor: Atlanta Wholesale Wine/NDC $36.00 2005 Foley Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley Santa Maria Hills Vineyard Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 91 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; bright red cherry color. Aromas of dark berries and spice (brown aromatics, such as cinnamon and allspice); complex, with well-integrated flavors and silky tannins. Most pleasing on the palate. Located in Santa Barbara County, Santa Rita Hills AVA (2001) is a small cool-climate zone with about 1700 planted acres. After some conflict with Chilean vintners who alleged brand dilution, an agreement was reached in 2006 to rename the AVA officially Sta. Rita Hills. Suggested Food Pairings: Grilled scallops wrapped in bacon; roast Cornish hen, duck and turkey (other game birds probably too); really good with mac ‘n’ cheese (but not the boxed stuff) and grilled hangar steak roast rack or leg of lamb. Georgia Distributor: National Distributing Co. $40.00 2005 Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast Armagh Vineyard Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 90 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; dusty garnet red. Aromas of dried herbs and fresh berries; flavors follow the same profile, with well-integrated fruit/herb characters. Very long fruit-driven finish, but shows a mite of heat (alcohol is high, 14. 7%). Complex, the wine evolves quickly in the glass, deepening the fruit flavors. Savannah-Chanelle is mainly about Pinot Noir. Founded by Pierre Pourroy, a Frenchman, in 1892, the winery was purchased in 1996 by Michael and Kellie Ballard, who named it for their daughters. Suggested Food Pairings: Truffled liver mousse; grilled bacon-wrapped scallops (skip the Rémoulade with this one); braised veal shank or breast; grilled chicken, shrimp or salmon (skip grilled tuna with this one); teriyaki; roast duck; hanger steak with mac ‘n’ cheese; braised veal or hangar steak, creamy or semi-soft blue (bleu cheese sauce on steak); soft, creamy cheeses (such as Délice de Bourgogne or Explorateur). Georgia Distributor: Grapefields $41.00 2006 Felton Road Pinot Noir Central Otago Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 94 Tasting Note: Full-bodied dry red wine; medium dark purple red. Beautiful aromatic, compelling, complex aromas hint at spices (cardamom) and dried wild herbs; flavors blend dark fruit, dark plums and aromatic spices in a wonderfully complex experience that sets the whole glass a-glow. Alcohol is high (14.5%) but the wine is very well balanced, with moderate ph and good acidity. Suggested Food Pairings: Truffled liver mousse; mushroom salad with red onions and red wine vinegar dressing; mushroom-stuffed ravioli with butter, fresh herbs and Parmesan cheese; grilled salmon or tuna; Vietnamese “shaking” beef; roast turkey; feathered and furred game; grilled pork or veal chop, roast pork loin; creamy blue cheeses, triple cream cheeses, such as Délice de Bourgogne. Georgia Distributor: Prestige Wine Wholesale $43.00 2004 Campion Wines Pinot Noir Los Carneros Review Date - 1/1/2008 Score - 91 Tasting Note: Medium-bodied dry red wine; medium dark cherry red. Somewhat shy aromas of dark cherry fruit, but flavors deliver generous dark cherry with a touch of vanilla. Not especially complex, but very elegant. “Los Carneros,” meaning “the rams” in Spanish, is a major cool-climate region that curves around the San Pablo Bay just north of San Francisco. Larry Brooks established Campion in 2000, but while the label is a relative newcomer, the winemaker is not new to the subject of Pinot Noir. Suggested Food Pairings: Wild mushroom salad with red onions (Whole Foods), mushroom-stuffed ravioli with butter and fresh minced parsley or chives; grilled lamb, pork chops or steaks; roast lamb; Vietnamese shaking beef; roast turkey; ham, feathered and furred game. Georgia Distributor: Quality Wine & Spirits $32.00