Blind Tasting of 12 Pinot Noirs at Snooth

Flight 1
Under $20 from around the world

1 - 2006 Faively Bourgogne 13% $20

Muted nose of dried fruits, chalk, red berries, dry and diluted, with light pale colors, ghost-like, flat and flabby.

2 - 2007 Babich Marlborough 13.5% $15

Intense floral bouquet, minerality on nose with hints of strawberries, cherries, medium tannins, nice mid-palate.

3 - 2007 Schug Sonoma Coast 13.5% $20

Darker tones with vanilla on nose, fruit, fresh cherries, chewing gum, nicely floral, violet finish.

Flight 2
Entry level Oregonians

1 - 2006 - Ponzi Willamette 14.5% $34

A nose of cola with some vegetal notes, stewed fruits and flavors of blueberries, and violets and nicely balanced.

2 - 2006 Johan Willamette 14.5% $30

Floral nose, medium to heavy weight for a PN, ripe cherries, smoke, cola, with balanced finish.

3 - 2006 Stoller SV Dundee Hills 14.3% $40

Earthy barnyard, syrupy deep purple colors with balanced flavors of ripe cherries.

Flight 3
Mid range Californians

1 - 2006 Wild Horse Unbridled Santa Barbara County 14.3% $35

On the nose, cigar smoke, sweat, locker room, and a palate of sweet fruit bomb, pepper, cola and oakey midpalate.

2 - 2005 Alma Rosa La Encantada Vineyard St. Rita Hills 13.5% $45

Aromas of mushrooms, chocolate, cocoa, dried fruits, plums with high acidity, not very balanced.

3 - 2006 Schug Carneros Heritage Reserve 14.5% $40

Perfumed aromas of fresh flowers, cheese, powdered violets, like the candy, with bright flavors, cherries and integrated oak.

Flight 4
Mid range Oregonians

1 - 2006 Fiddlehead Oldsville Reserve Willamette 14.1% $50

High alcohol, white pepper, chalk, wood, medicinal, chemical acetone edge, with bits of cinnamon.

2 - 2006 Benton lane First Class Willamette 14.5% $45

Nose of vanilla, cherry syrup, vegetal and medium tannins.

3 - 2007 Antica Terra Willamette 13.5% $45

Floral bouquet with warmth, herbs, barnyard, and opened wide with a spicy finish.