Black Diamond Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2011
We had this wine with fruits, cheese and chocolates watching a Netflix feature. The next day, we enjoyed it will grilled steak Sunday dinner.
I wrote in this blog back in March about how difficult it is to find a high QPR (Quality to
Price Ratio) Pinot Noir under $20. Called the 'heartbreak grape' (see my
review of The
Heartbreak Grape, A California Winemakers Search for the Perfect Pinot Noir by Marc de Villiers, 1994, Harper Collins)
for its finicky difficulty to cultivate, it took decades for California
producers to get this varietal to come around. Here is a rare
California Pinot Noir that offers enjoyable sophisticated Pinot Noir at
every day prices. I bought some, drank it, bought some more, and I am
going back for more. Hopefully my blog post doesn't empty the shelves
before I restock.'
We are still enjoying this wine obtained back then. I feature it again because it is still available in quantity at Binny's the Illinois/Chicagoland mega-merchant, and I am tempted to buy more whilst it is still available.
As featured earlier, "sourced
from fruit from GUADAGNI FAMILY WINES, a small family run business that
according to records is managed by Donald, Joseph, Mary, William and
Breanna at their location on Yokim Bridge Road in Healdsburg. They're
reported to produce about 1000 cases a year but views of the property
show large tracts of young vines and new plantings so we might expect to
see much more of them in the coming vintages.'
The grapes are selected from the Russian River appellation, renowned specifically for the cool-climate conducive to growing great Pinot Noir. The vineyards for this wine are along the Russian River and within walking distance of the Coastal Mountain Range. Influenced by the marine layer that rolls in from the Pacific Ocean with its moderating effect on morning and later afternoon temperatures, sending cool air through the gorge cut by the river. They cite moderate daytime temperatures as key to retaining the delicate and unique characters of the grapes, while the cool nights encourage the vine to retain acidity through to the harvest. Whatever the cause, the effects are a sophisticated yet pleasant, easy drinking wine that are available at a good value price.
The winemaker's comments sum it up well - "Classic aromas of fresh turned soil, cola, and red cherries. Black raspberry, pink peppercorn spice and caramel add depth. Light in body with creamy, vanilla infused raspberry and baking spice. Balanced, silky tannins for a long smooth finish."
I don't do a lot of Pinot Noir, and admit my 'vocabulary' of wine sensations and ability to articulate such, is not as developed and mature. Hence, I struggle a bit to characterize this wine. It features a primary predominate flavor. The winemaker calls is cola and red cherries, or Bing cherries. I get the cola but keep coming back to dried cranberries as the lead fruit. In any event, despite being medium light bodied and therefor a bit opaque, it is is dark blackish garnet colored, it exhibits tones of cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and a layer of cedar giving way to a tones of anise and smoky spicy oak on a firm lingering acidic finish.
RM 88 points.