So last night at dinner at Charivari, we (that would be me and 33 of my nearest and dearest) tasted (OK, drank) ten different wines. I really liked nine of them – and the tenth wasn’t bad but it wasn’t showing nearly as well as it should have. The one that really stood out for me was the 2010 EXPRESSION 44° Pinot Noir from the Eola-Amity Hills area of the Willamette (remember it’s “Will-am-it, Damn it”) Valley in Oregon. It was perfect with an elegant duck leg and wilted grains. The pairing made me think of Thanksgiving turkey and stuffing. This wine would be brilliant. Now, if only I can finish with my Turkey as moist as that duck leg. At least I know that with this Expression 44°, the wine will be perfect.
EXPRESSION 44° Pinot Noir, Eola-Amity Hills (Oregon), 2010 ($41)
Tech: 13.9% Alcohol. 100% Pinot Noir (whole berries with some whole clusters) given a seven day cold soak before fermentation (open tops with punch-downs and some pump-overs) and aging 11 months in all French oak barrels (no new barrels). Sensory: Medium-red-purple in color with well formed legs; dry and medium-bodied with refreshing acidity. Supple with lots of ripe red and some black mostly cherry fruit accented with earth and mocha with notes of black pepper and subtle oak. Very tasty and easy to drink. Elegant, Alive, Delicious. BS: 92+. Perfect delicious wine to pair with, you know, that bird.
Tech Note: 14.8% Alcohol. A blend of 44% Cab Sauv, 30% Petite Verdot, 14% Merlot, and 12% Petite Sirah aged 21 months in 12% new French oak barrels, 6% new Hungarian oak barrels, 4% new American oak barrels, 78% Neutral oak barrels. Sensory Note: Deep purple red iin color with well-formed legs; dry, full-bodied with balanced acidity and chewy phenolics. Big, rich, supple, lovely in the mouth. Lots of mostly black fruit with fine spice, supple oak, note of tobacco, hint of dry chocolate. Bear Note: Tastes like Paso Robles in the very best possible way. YUM. Satisfying but brilliant in the mouth. BS: 92+. ($21.00 per 750ml)
