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Pinot Noir - Steiner Vineyard

Pinot Noir - Steiner Vineyard Wine Details
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Description: The color is lighter than usual for Steiner but color has never been my number one measure of the quality of pinot (nor my number two, nor number three….). In any event the color is deceptive because it is loaded with flavor. Aromas of Queen Anne cherries, cardamom, wild mushroom and raspberries with a slight hint of menthol. In the mouth it exhibits flavors of fresh fruit compote, is lush and full and soft, with little tannin. Although the Steiner pinot noirs tend to do quite well with moderate bottle age, I have a feeling that this one will all be drunk before its time. 242 cases bottled.

Varietal Definition
Pinot Noir:
The name is derived from the French words for ‘pine’ and ‘black’ alluding to the varietals' tightly clustered dark purple pine cone shaped bunches of fruit. Pinot Noir grapes are grown around the world, mostly in the cooler regions, but the grape is chiefly associated with the Burgundy region of France. It is widely considered to produce some of the finest wines in the world, but is a difficult variety to cultivate and transform into wine. By volume most Pinot Noir in America is grown in California with Oregon coming in second. Other regions are Washington State and New York.During 2004 and the beginning of 2005, Pinot Noir became considerably more popular amongst consumers in the United States, possibly because of the movie Sideways. Being lighter in style, it has benefited from a trend toward more restrained, less alcoholic wines. It is the delicate, subtle, complex and elegant nature of this wine that encourages growers and winemakers to cultivate this difficult grape. Robert Parker has described Pinot Noir: "When it's great, Pinot Noir produces the most complex, hedonistic, and remarkably thrilling red wine in the world."


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