amazing is not what this Pinot Noir is about, but amusing is

 

Varietal: Pinot Noir 

Geographical indication: France, Burgundy 

Vintage: 2007

Producer: Henri de Villamont   

Alcohol: 12%
Classification: AOC

Tasted at: Irving Vintage Wine Tasting (Groupon)  

Date tasted: 05/24/2010  

Price: ~$20

- Clear, pale ruby, and transparent in appearance. This is the first vin rouge through the core of which I could read the tasting list.

- Nose is clean. Its medium intensity exhibits cherry, strawberry, nutmeg and vanilla. My feeble olfactory receptors detect youth and certain freshness. Given that this is a three year old Pinot Noir it is reasonable to assume that this wine is still developing. On the other hand, because this is a $20 French Pinot Noir, the most persnickety vitis vinifera, it is possible that this is as high as the nose will soar. However, my lack of experience with Pinot Noir is not conducive to evaluating it.

- On the palate it comes off dry, with low tannin and low alcohol. The resulting body and flavor intensity are both at medium. The nose-palate overlap is direct, but the palate is a much rougher sketch of the delicate nose. As with the nose, there are red fruits and sweet spices on the palate, and yet none of the sub-aromas are discernible as tastes. Redcurrant cassis and oak, that at last summon the audience of my taste buds, save the day.

- To conclude: I found my inability to pinpoint smells and tastes provoking, and therefore engrossing and interesting (it was almost booed at the wine tasting, and the three ladies seated left of me spit-bucketed the glass right after the first sip). The good quality of this Pinot Noir is ready to be enjoyed with spicy/sweet seasoned poultry.