Michael Pinkus Wine Review - From the Cellar

Loredona 2009 Pinot Noir, Monterey (California)

27 Dec 2018

Details: Category: Uncorked Tonight

Loredona 2009 PN

(July 26, 2017) ... It's definitely no spring chicken and poses the question: does California Pinot age ... I mean well? Usually with all that fruit you would expect things would not stand up, and now with 8 years under it's belt where does it go? Upon opening it shows herbal notes and spices on the nose with dried-cranberry and anise on the palate ... A little more time open and that fruit continues to be dried and even leathery with a long finish that is cranberry dominant, the really good news is the acidity is holding on - and that is a good thing. If you're think fresh fruit, don't bother, but it certainly is an older Pinot with fruit-leather notes - does that make it good or bad? Depends on your tolerance for fruit-leather.

First Time in Saguenay (France / Australia)

27 Dec 2018

Details: Category: Uncorked Tonight

(July 15, 2017) ... Andre Proulx and myself made a trip to the Saguenay Wine Festival to interview winemakers, agents and winery principals (podcast here) and on our off moments shared a few glasses of wine:

Hecht & Bannier 2007 Minervois - France ... A Syrah / Grenache blend that was right about at the cusp of falling off the cliff: dried blackberry, smoky, cedar yet with good acidity - it was where I thought it might be, don't hold any longer.

Houghton 2004 Cabernet / Shiraz / Merlot - Australia ... Fun little start to this wine with a red pepper jelly nose, the palate is quite complex for it's age: hints of dried fig, pepper, cassis, cocoa and the acidity is still strong and jumps out if the glass. Not sure I'd hold any longer but it sure was fun to drink.