Sunday, January 15, 2006
Five Rivers 2004 California (Santa Barbara) Pinot Noir
An excellent Pinot Noir from the West Coast of the US. Of course since the movie Sideways, everywhere I go sommeliers and growers alike tell me Pinot sales are up 30% and Merlot sales are down 30%. As a result (in the UK at least), prices for this once out of fashion grape, have shot up.
This 2004 bottle, purchased from Majestic for under a tenner, is excellent.
It's darker than you might expect from a 04, promising an abundance of fruit, confirmed when you whiff the wonderful fruity aroma with no hint of tannins or acid.
Smooth and creamy when you take glug, this is drinking very well now, and probably won't benefit from keeping. And why would you want to lay this down when it's so good now?
This would stand up well on the dinner table or (if you fancy it) as your regular tipple.
8/10
This 2004 bottle, purchased from Majestic for under a tenner, is excellent.
It's darker than you might expect from a 04, promising an abundance of fruit, confirmed when you whiff the wonderful fruity aroma with no hint of tannins or acid.
Smooth and creamy when you take glug, this is drinking very well now, and probably won't benefit from keeping. And why would you want to lay this down when it's so good now?
This would stand up well on the dinner table or (if you fancy it) as your regular tipple.
8/10
