The California-Australia Wine Shootout™

Pinot Noir

Pfendler Vineyards 2001 Copeland Creek Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast, California, $29.99
333 cases produced

Cranberry and cassis with a tarry undertone greet you evolving into bright cherry, raspberry and strawberry flavors on entry through mid-palate when plum, cassis, and baking spice are added and all extend to the long finish with rounded tannins and a semi-silky mouthfeel. The oak is nicely balanced allowing the fruit to really stand out.

(93)

Anapamu Cellars 2001 Pinot Noir, Monterey County, California, $16.00
21,400 cases produced

Deep garnet in color with a complex nose of sandalwood, spice, toasted nuts, cigar ash, dried fruit, black cherry, bright, walnut, and tea accents. The flavors are deep and complex with tart red berry, strawberry jam blueberry, and cassis accented by toastiness. A full-bodied Pinot Noir with nice acidity.

(92)

Baileyana 2002 Firepeak Vineyard Pinot Noir, Edna Valley, California, $23.00
4,270 cases produced

Complex aromas of cherry, rhubarb, cola, forest floor, spice, and vanilla evolve into a full-bodied wine with lots of oak and spice on the long finish.

(90)

Gloria Ferrer 2001 Pinot Noir, Carneros, California, $26.00

An enticing nose of graham crackers, banana, spice, cherry, strawberry, and strawberry jam becomes mixed berry on the palate with mellow oak accents. Beautifully textured. Cherry accented by tar on the medium-length finish.

(90)

Pellegrini Family Vineyards 2001 Olivet Lane Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California, $24.00
4000 cases produced

The nose is a bit recessive at first but opens shyly and reveals cherry and cola with notes of anise and menthol. Baking spice with mixed red and black berry in the mouth some some Fig Newton accents mid-palate. A charming wine with depth and personality.

(90)

Barefoot Reserve 2002 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, $14.99
2,241 cases produced

Strawberry and cherry on the nose lead to a balanced wine with fresh strawberry and pomegranate flavors. There is nice acidity on the finish that make this wine a natural to pair with smoked salmon.

(89)

Tarra Warra Estate 2001 Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia, $32.00
3,000 cases produced

The nose is toasty with roasted notes, berry, cherry, eucalyptus, and smoky. An enchanting style of Pinot Noir. Ripe cherry, clove, smoke, and bacon fat through prolonged palate and the elegant finish.

(89)

Tarra Warra Estate 2002 Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Australia, $32.00
2,400 cases produced

Smoky, tart cherry, raspberry and cranberry backed by spice on the nose. The color is medium-light ruby. Underlying greenness and unripe rhubarb flavors negatively impact the deep cherry flavors, and allspice in the mouth. Moderate acid on the medium length finish.

(88.8)

Pedroncelli 2002 F. Johnson Vineyard Pinot Noir, Sonoma County, $14.50
4,000 cases produced

The nose is slightly elusive and delicate. The mouth reveals strawberry, plum and licorice with cocoa notes on the finish.

(86.4)

Rodney Strong Reserve 2001 Janes Vineyard Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, $30.00
1,935 cases produced

Dull garnet in color tending toward brick – the wine seems to be showing some premature aging. Black fruit, bright acid and menthol on the nose promising but not delivering bright fruit flavors.

(83)

Orchid Hill Vineyard 2002 Pinot Noir, Paso Robles, $23.50
135 cases produced

Rhubarb and strawberry aromas evolve into soft berry fruit with low acidity.

(82)

De Bortoli 2001 Pinot Noir, Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia, $29.99
6,000 cases produced

The nose is interesting showing sweet candied apple, coffee and red cherry with smoky and cola notes. The wine is angular with prominent acids that carry through the finish.

(78)

Frei Brothers Reserve 2002 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, California, $24.00
29,000 cases produced

A bright cherry nose invites you to taste this wine and dive into its full throttle intensity. The finish disappoints with tartness and heat.

(78)