Cardwell Hill Cellars, Pinot Noir, 2006
I'm always in search of a good Pinot. They're expensive, so I've learned to moderate such purchases. So when the card says this is good, sometimes I'm compelled to try it. And seeing as I've not had anything from Cardwell before, I just had to buy it.
The nose was really interesting and includes all kinds of aromas. Peach. Vanilla. Nutmeg. Boysenberry. And some of that -- I'll call it "Pinot magic" -- it's some sort of exotic spice smell (very subtle). cinnamon and clove. Definitely clove! The taste was boysenberry (just slightly sweet tasting). And it was smooth. It also had a hint of oak/wood/vanilla right as you swallow; that's likely the sweet taste. But the finish was not at all sweet: marionberry and pomegranate and wood. Strangely, the last taste in the finish was -- seriously -- watermelon jolly rancher. Now, I don't mean to imply that it was sweet, but that's the taste. Imagine a non-sweet watermelon jolly rancher, and that's what was there. And later, I detected something vege at the very end. Sort of bitter, but not stemy. Never did discern that exactly. Interesting.
The cloves made this taste a little like mulled wine. That sounds bad, but I just mean it was spicy. Actually, I really liked this Pinot. Not bad for about $24.
Cost:
Rating:
8.0