In the US right now
I’m in the US at the moment.
Z.D. Vineyards Pinot Noir 2006 Quite New World in style but pretty and pleasant to drink. About $15. Good.
Chalone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2005 Very resiny, reminds me a lot of Calera — which is just down the road. Shows the same heat as it as well. The drought conditions that have affected this area for so many years are really pushing this wine in a direction I don’t like: blood, port, burnt aromas. Obviously well made just not very enjoyable.
Drunk at Betelnut in San Francisco. Popular Asian fusion restaurant. Well made food but I felt harmony was sacrificed to the fusion gods: sashimi, shanghai fried beans, steak, pad thai. In that order.
I’ve also had Rodney Strong Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2006. A pleasant wine, a good restaurant wine, showing typical, pretty pinot characters. Weighs in at 14.5% alcohol but shows better than the Chalone I had last night (mind, I haven’t tried standing up yet). A good wine for its price, around $20 USD.
