TN: 2003 Meridian Vineyards Pinot Noir Reserve (Santa Barbara)

[tedski]

I drank this bottle over the past two days. My opinion on the first day was somewhat on the negative side ... but the wine seemed to really open up after 24 hrs.

The aromas initially were of cherry, raspberry + pickles. Flavors of tart cherry and raspberry with a slight metallic taste on the middle of my tongue. A bit of alcohol heat is still evident too. The finish was somewhat short / thin.

After 24 hrs: Smoother taste, rounder flavors, slightly sweeter. The metallic taste and heat on the finish are gone. I like this much better now.

I bought this at my local BevMo for $12.

 

[CWS]

An interesting Vineyard. They used to be called the vegetable wine because the vineyards were planted on old veggie producing grounds and the first labels picked up some of the flavors. I financed the first set of stainless fermenting tanks for these guys lo many years ago.

 

[Angry Bill]

The problem with pinots is most are crap, but the ones that are great, are great. Its a harder grape to grow for wine making purposes. There are some great Pinots up your way though Tedski. Sanford still makes a great one, although they were bought out about 3 or 4 years ago. Check out the Tobin James Pinot Envy. Pretty good.

The Fiddlestick and Hitching Post Pinots are great too.

 

[tedski]

Thanks AB. I don't mind going through the various levels of quality in wine. In a way it's just like when I started cigars ... I have to develop my palette and see what brands I enjoy. This is why I've been going to wine tastings so often this year.

I have seen Hitching Post pinot here, although they are normally in the $30 - $50 range which puts them in my occasional purchase category. l could not find a "Fiddlestick" brand ... but rather many references to the Fiddlesticks vineyard. Did you mean Fiddlehead?

I also didn't see any pinots listed on the Tobin James website ... although I did plan on visiting there the next time I'm down in Paso.

 

[jmatkins]

I drank this bottle over the past two days. My opinion on the first day was somewhat on the negative side ... but the wine seemed to really open up after 24 hrs.

The aromas initially were of cherry, raspberry + pickles. Flavors of tart cherry and raspberry with a slight metallic taste on the middle of my tongue. A bit of alcohol heat is still evident too. The finish was somewhat short / thin.

After 24 hrs: Smoother taste, rounder flavors, slightly sweeter. The metallic taste and heat on the finish are gone. I like this much better now.

I bought this at my local BevMo for $12.

Thanks for the info on this, I say it the other day and was not sure about it.

 

[Angry Bill]

I meant Fiddlehead.. lol... That's what I get for posting while I am busier than shit at work, doing 5 things at once. hehe.. Fiddlehead is some great stuff, but not cheap either. Windward Winery in Paso Robles has a good Pinot also.

Have the fun about wine tasting is about trying all the colors in the rainbow, just to get to the one you like. We are going to Paso in March for Zin Fest!