A Passion for (Kiwi) Pinot

New Zealand has probably more than any other country picked up the pinot noir ball and run with it. So why is it so exciting?

2007 Freeman Akiko’s Cuvee Pinot Noir, Sonoma

Elegant and sophisticated, this wine takes a bit of coaxing to open up. Patience rewards with a nose of luscious ripe plums and dark berries with a sassafras twist. The color is a vivid shade of red. Supple on the palate, warm musk complements the deep fruit, with a tingle of cola on the end. Hints of rose petals taper to a lingering finish. A more detailed review about this wine and the winery is available here on Another Wine Blog.

2007 Freeman Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Bright garnet in color, the nose reminds us of freshly fallen autumn leaves, dark cherry and a hint of cola. On the palate, we tasted more cherry, red raspberry and earthy mushroom with toasty oak. Pleasant minerality with a medium finish, this is a very nice young wine that possesses plenty of structure for aging. A more detailed review about this wine and the winery is available here on Another Wine Blog.

2006 Andrew Rich Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

Lots of red fruit, overripe strawberry and black cherry, with some sage, fennel and wax, on the nose. The palate matches the nose, plus a bit of allspice. It also has a certain savoriness, a silky umami, that makes the overall impression far more than the sum of the individual flavors.

Wine for Haiti Lot 57 – D’Argenzio Gold Medal Wines

D’Argenzio Winery generously contributed 4 bottles of their fine wines, two bottles of the 2004 Gold Medal Pinot Noir and two bottles of the 2003 Gold Medal Cabernet Sauvignon. Retail value is $192.00.

Wine for Haiti Lot 80 – 2007 R. Stuart Autograph 3.0L

R. Stuart and Company generously contributed our first large-format bottle from Oregon, a 3.0L bottle of their “Autograph” Pinot Noir, retail value $140.00.

Wine for Haiti Lot 58 – Three Russian River Pinots SOLD

William Allen, of Simple Hedonisms, contributed three great Russian River Pinots, 2007 Siduri Sapphire Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir ($41), 2007 Lynmar Estate Hawk Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir ($70), and 2007 Holdredge Pinot Noir Wren Hop ($50). Total retail value $161.00.

Wine for Haiti Lot 75 – Chehalem Ridgecrest Best Barrel Pinot

Chehalem, of Willamette Valley, Oregon, generously contributed a six-bottle case of their 2005 Ridgecrest Best Barrel Pinot Noir (Retail Value: $450). Each bottle is individually numbered, and they are already boxed and ready for the winner. These Best Barrel bottlings are never sold commercially, making this a very special and unique opportunity.

Wine for Haiti Lot 63 – Bergstrom and Rombauer SOLD

Norris Cunningham, from Hall, Render, Killian, Heath & Lyman, dug into his own cellar to generously contribute two bottles, a 2005 Rombauer Zinfandel (retail value $35.00) and a 2007 Bergstrom Pinot Noir, De Lancellotti Vineyard (retail value $70.00).

Wine for Haiti Lot 62 – 2007 Ponzi Pinot Noir SOLD

Ponzi Vineyards generously contributed a magnum of their 2007 Pinot Noir to Wine for Haiti. Retail value is $90.00.

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