Pinot-ooh-la-la

Pinot Noir grapes can best be described using a nursery rhyme I learned as a child:

There was a little girl
Who had a little curl
Right in the middle of her forehead.
When she was good,
She was very very good
But when she was bad
She was horrid

Simply substitute "grape" for "girl" and you have the Cliffs Notes version of Pinot Noir's legendary finicky-ness.

A group of folks at Argyle Winery in Oregon have seemingly cracked the Pinot Noir code.

The Skinny
Argyle Pinot Noir Reserve, '02 ($28)

• Willamette Valley, Oregon
• Deep ruby color with a salmon colored rim
• "Very good" Pinot scents: ripe strawberry, dark chocolate, rose, and subtle spice hints
• Medium-bodied; nice balance of acidity, fruit flavor, and alcohol.  Age this baby for 3-4 years and reap the rewards of a well-made, age-worthy wine

****.5 (4.5 stars out of 5)

Very food-friendly.  Try it with garlic mashed potatoes, roasted mushrooms, grilled tuna steak, or a dish infused with truffle oil

Comments

[Lenn]

maybe you can find a WACKY NAME Pinot for Wine Blogging Wednesday!

You better participate...got it?

[beau]

I've got a couple candidates in the wine fridge. I'll pick one tonite. Unfortunately the state monopoly's selection is somewhat limited. I'm choosing between Fat Bastard, Smoking Loon, or Rex Goliath (the giant rooster). Sadly no Pinots in the lot.