08 Red Tree Pinot Noir

Wow, Wow, Wow....An inexpensive California Pinot Noir that is good and does not break the bank. I spoke to two different sources prior to purchasing to make sure that I was not being sold a bill of goods...I had two of my trusted "wino" friends to taste this..and they gave it a strong buy. It is not an "Earthy " Pinot so if that is what you are looking for...look elsewhere. It taste like a slice of cherry/rhubarb pie with a topping of stewed blackberries. It is intense in flavor...but beware...if you open it...drink now...after-open-aging does not work for this morsel. Buy by the case and enjoy while cooking outdoors on the grill. great wine to serve for a large gathering.

I rate this wine 6.5 Bigbecks out of 10.

I rate this wine 9.5 Bigbecks for its quality/value ratio...under $8.00 per bottle case price.

07 O'Reilly's Pinot Noir

This is a beautiful wine for the price ($13-$17) . This is a second label Owen Roe wine. Owen Roe's "Sharecropper" label produces some of the best Cabs and Pinots available.....The O'Reilly's Pinot offers an elegant, light-bodied mouthful, with bright red berries, purple flowers and earth in the aromas. Vibrant and juicy flavors of raspberry, cranberry, and hints of cherry. It gains depth towards the finish, with brambly dark berries and subtle tinges of dried herbs. This can either be a "with food" pinot or enjoyed by itself. The only negative is that the first few sipps came off a bit chalky, but after it breathed for 30 minutes...it went away. I would recommend opening 30 minutes to an hour prior to serving. Beautiful, Beautiful offering..

I rate this wine 7 Bigbecks out of 10

Beck

"Pinot is a hard grape to grow….It’s thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. It’s not a survivor like Cabernet that can grow anywhere and thrive when neglected. Pinot needs constant care and attention and in fact can only grow in specific little tucked-away corners of the world. And only the most patient and nurturing growers can do it really, can tap into Pinot’s most fragile, delicate qualities. Only when someone has taken the time to truly understand its potential can Pinot be coaxed into its fullest expression. And when that happens, its flavors are the most haunting and brilliant and subtle and thrilling and ancient on the planet."




From the screenplay by Alexander Payne & Jim Taylor of the novel, Sideways, by Rex Pickett.