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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/41359
CHEERS WINE PANEL Pinot Delights P inot noir has been an operators' darling for some time. Its soft flavor profile and lush fruit aromas and flavors make it an ideal match for many different types of food. While its homeland may always be Burgundy, great examples are produced all around the world. (99) Bethel Heights, Willamette Valley 2007 (Oregon). This is a great value from the Willamette Valley. It is full of ripe cherries and fragrant strawberries and flowers dominate a long finish. ($50) (99) Hubert Lignier Les Chaffots Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru 2007 (Burgundy). This is the Rockstar of Morey- St-Denis; premium Burgundy at its finest; full and bright, the flavors are of raspberries with notes of dried leaves. ($130) (97) Wild Horse Cheval Sauvage Santa Maria Valley Pinot Noir 2005 (California). Sourced from the Bien Nacido and Sierra Madre Vineyards tucked in a cool corner of the valley, this is a world-class wine; ripe, rich, silky, perfectly balanced Burgundian-style pinot; an exquisite blend of raspberry, spice, earth, oak and smoke that would enhance any dish from Rabbit Terrine to Glazed Salmon. ($65) (96) Walter Hansel Cahill Lane Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2008 (California). It is big and full bodied, with amazing fruit on the nose and the palate; a real steal at this price. ($40) (95) Lockwood Pinot Noir Block 7 2009 (California). A nice touch of oak influence lends well to the deep ripe cherry flavors and chocolate notes; silky and elegant; pairs nicely with mushroom dishes. ($18) (95) Pannonhalmi Apátsági Pincászet Pinot Noir 2009 (Hungary). Made from vineyards established by Benedictine monks in A.D. 996, this wine has intense aromas and flavors of smoke, bacon and terroir that are followed by black cherry, currant and spice after two hours of decanting; astonishing wine. ($25) (95) Domaine Vacheron Sancerre Rouge Loire Valley 2009 (France). A nose of wild flowers and under-ripe fruit 44 | SEPTEMBER 2011 leads to flavors of raspberry and cherry with a hint of minerality. Soft tannins and spice flavors linger on the finish. ($38) (95) White Rose Rippon, Mature Vine, Lake Wanaka, Central Otago 2008 (New Zealand). The wine is fruit forward with cooked strawberries and sweet spice. Hints of licorice and herbs finish it off. ($40) (94) The Crossings Pinot Noir 2009 (New Zealand). Ripe plum in color with berry aromas; fresh, elegant and approachable; drink now or hold for a couple of years. ($17) (94) Estancia Pinnacles Ranch Pinot Noir 2009 (California). This wine comes from Monterey County with cool ocean breezes making this an ideal region for this grape; deep red in color with dark berry and plum aromas; a soft luscious finish. ($16) (94) Fulcrum "On Point" Christina's Cuvee Pinot Noir 2009 (California). This wine has a bouquet of spice and floral notes; bright cherries and pomegranate wash over the palate; the finish has hints of oak. ($40) (94) HK Hop Kiln Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2008 (California). On the way to becoming a major cult wine; really bright fruit and medium body; grab this one before it can't be found any more. ($40) (93) Archery Summit Premier Cuvée Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon). There are intense aromas of ripe blackberries and blueberries; a complex wine of many layers, it delivers flavors of dark cherry, blueberries combined with hints of dark chocolate, ginger and peat; a beautiful, lengthy finish confirms this wine will improve with some aging. ($50) (93) Domaine Serene Willamette Select Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon). Notes of cinnamon and spice round out flavors of red and dark fruits; it has a velvety texture on the palate; soft tannins add to the personality of this wine. ($30) (93) Evening Land Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon). From Eola–Amity Hills in Oregon, clean and bright fruit flavors showing beautifully now; a great food wine but the bright fruit also makes it great for sipping by itself. ($40) www.cheersonline.com